St. Luke’s Health Network

New Bethlehem PICU to open

St. Luke’s University Health Network is opening a new, 24/7 eight bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem, in early 2020. The expansion will provide advanced care to critically ill children suffering from a variety of illnesses such as severe respiratory distress, infections, serious injury and heart disease.

There will be pediatric subspecialists (intensivists), primary care physicians, a 2:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, multi-system monitoring and advanced technologies, as well as social work; pet, art and physical therapy; and nutrition support.

The unit will be designed with private rooms that have video game connectivity, color-changing lights, books and toys for patients. Rooms will be equipped for parents and families who need to spend extended time with their children with a television specifically for parents, access to washers and dryers, extra charging ports, showers and a sofa for an “at home” comfortable feeling.