The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Mater Children's Hospital is an eight bed unit which admits approximately 500 patients per year and has 24 hour medical cover provided by four registrars. A three day orientation program is offered to all new PICU registrars at the beginning of each four month rotation. Registrars participate in the day-to-day management of all patients and will gain experience with a range of procedures including airway management, arterial line placement and central line insertion during their rotation. There is an emphasis on hands-on teaching with a focus on basic sciences (physiology, pharmacology, and clinical measurement). Hands-on experience will be gained in managing paediatric mechanical ventilation with state-of-the-art ventilators.

Registrars will also gain experience with a number of dialytic therapies including peritoneal dialysis and haemofiltration. Plasmapheresis is also performed in the unit. Paediatric registrars can be assured of excellent support during this rotation from the Intensive Care Team which includes a group of specialist intensivists, anaesthetists, paediatricians, qualified intensive care nurses and allied health professionals.

Registrars participate in Mater Children's Hospital Paediatric Retrieval Service which retrieves over 180 children each year by road, fixed wing plane and helicopter from Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Registrars receive intensive training in aeromedical medicine and helicopter safety before their first retrieval. Paediatric Intensive Care Registrars participate in the hospital-wide SERT and basic life skills are taught and practiced during weekly mock codes. A Clinical Information System has been in operation since 1994 so registrars will develop computer skills during their ICU rotation. An informatic nurse is available in the unit for training and support.

The PICU is accredited for six months core training for advanced trainees aiming to qualify for the Fellowship in Paediatric Intensive Care (Australian New Zealand College of Anaesthetists).

Transition to Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse Education

Transition is a structured process, which begins at orientation to a PICU and is conducted over 12 months. During this time both the knowledge and practice of a registered nurse is developed within the PICU.

The program is delivered in a flexible mode incorporating recognition of prior learning and is articulated with tertiary programs. All new employees without an ICU qualification are expected to complete the program.

Paediatric Intensivists

Directors

• Dr Bruce Lister, FANZCA, FJFICM, MBA
• Dr Phil Sargent, FRACP and FJFICM
• Dr Andreas Schibler, FMH (Intensive Care), MD.

The VMO is Dr Ron James FRACP. The Staff Anaesthetist is Dr Greg Moloney FANZCA. The unit's NPC is Ms Donna Franklin, B.Nursing, Grad Cert Management.

Nurse Educator

• Ms Loretta Scaini, B.Nursing
• Ms Karyn Ehren, B.Nursing, Cert PICU Nursing.

The unit's IT support is provided by Andrew Barlow, B.Sc, Dip Nursing.