Critical Care

Our doctors—pediatric intensivists with expertise in the care of critically ill children—provide 24-hour on-site medical care. Our team also includes specially trained pediatric critical care nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and nutritionists. Our critical care specialists work closely with Indiana University Health LifeLine to ensure the safe transport of patients to Riley at IU Health.

Led by a group of faculty attending physicians, our critical care team uses advanced medical technology to support and treat children with life-threatening conditions. Riley at IU Health is the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in Indiana.

We care for children with a wide variety of medical and surgical conditions, including:

• Congenital heart disease
• Post-operative recovery from a variety of surgical procedures, including those performed by pediatric general surgeons; neurosurgeons; ear, nose and throat surgeons; plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons
• Kidney, liver, multivisceral (multi-organ) and cardiac transplants
• Traumatic injuries
• Burn injuries and smoke inhalation
• Sepsis
• Respiratory failure
• Inborn errors of metabolism
• Pediatric cancer, including children receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants

As part of our patient- and family-centered approach, we encourage parents and caregivers to participate in their child's care. We welcome parents and caregivers to observe and participate in daily rounds as they feel comfortable.

Children in critical care may be required to have extended hospital stays, numerous surgical procedures and ongoing, meticulous care. Our skilled medical, nursing and support team has expertise in helping patients and families through these challenges. We also provide guidance and support to those who will care for your child as he or she prepares to go home.

Treatments that we provide include:

• Advanced mechanical ventilation
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)
• Targeted temperature control for children recovering from cardiac arrest

We also work closely with various other teams at Riley at IU Health, including the Heart Center, Transplant Department, Trauma Department and Neurology Department.