The physicians and specially trained nurses in St. Cloud Hospital’s PICU provide care to children with unstable, life-threatening conditions, such as pediatric trauma, as well as complicated asthma, diabetes or pneumonia, and provide medical treatment for children with severe heart and lung disease.

Children in this unit usually require one-to-one nursing care, expanded monitoring capabilities and, oftentimes, additional care provided by respiratory therapists, pharmacists and nutritionists. Most importantly, children are able to stay closer to their families and support system.

The availability of specialized pediatric services in St. Cloud has continued to grow since the neonatal intensive care unit opened in 1988. The new PICU was opened in 2003.