In response to the rising demand for pediatric intensive care in the region, Children’s Nebraska has expanded its Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). In April, Children’s opened a second PICU, called PICU South, increasing PICU beds hospital-wide from 19 to 27. Too frequently, Children’s PICU has reached maximum capacity, causing patients to be sent to other pediatric hospitals in Kansas City, Denver or Des Moines.
PICU South is located in the Methodist Tower across the skywalk from the main hospital. The current PICU, located in the hospital, will be referred to as PICU North.
In Lincoln, Children’s Nebraska has acquired an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic to provide greater support to its patient families and specialty providers. The office currently practices as Handprints and Footsteps Pediatric Therapy Clinic. Starting July 1, 2018, the Handprints and Footsteps team will join Children’s, allowing for continued access to high quality therapy for area children.
Children’s hopes to build on its existing collaboration with Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ Lincoln campus to explore how that partnership could enhance the delivery of these services.