VCU Medical Center dedicates new pediatric intensive care unit

By Michael Ford
University News Services

WHAT:        After months of demolition and construction, officials from the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center will take the wraps off a new $2.3 million pediatric intensive care unit during an official dedication and ribbon cutting.

The new VCU Medical Center Food Lion Pediatric Intensive Care Unit has been configured to provide larger, more private patient spaces that can accommodate visitation by family 24 hours a day and advance a concept known as family-centered care. Food Lion made a $1 million contribution through the Children's Miracle Network and the VCU Health System provided $1.3 million in matching funds.

Fully equipped with the latest instrumentation and life support techniques, the VCU Medical Center's PICU is a Level-1, 12-bed critical care area, staffed for the care of critically ill children, including heart surgery patients, liver transplant patients and head injury patients. In addition to admissions from the emergency room, pediatric floors, and operating rooms, the PICU is a referral site for hospitals in the Richmond area and regional hospitals from Fredericksburg to Virginia's southern border. Patients arrive from local and distant hospitals via ambulance or helicopter, using VCU Medical Center's helicopter transport service VCU LifeEvac. 

First established as a 4-bed unit in 1978, the PICU is celebrating 25 years of service to the most critically ill children in the Greater Richmond area and averages 950 admissions a year.

WHERE:        VCU Medical Center's Main Hospital, 1250 E. Marshall St., Richmond 

WHO:              Dr. Eugene P. Trani, VCU President & chair of the VCU Health System
                   Sheldon M. Retchin, M.D., vice-president for health sciences and CEO
                     of the VCU Health System 
                       Joseph H. Laver, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Pediatrics,
                     VCU Medical Center
                       John J. Mickell, M.D., professor and chair, Division of Pediatric Critical
                     Care Medicine
                       Mary F. Walker, R.N., nurse manager Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
                       Dwayne Gilley, vice president, northern division, Food Lion

WHEN:         Jan. 29, 2004, 2 p.m., Ribbon Cutting