Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric intensivists Ranna Rozenfeld, MD and Sarah Welsh, MD, answer commonly asked questions about pediatric intensive care at Hasbro Children's Hospital and their work as intensivists. Dr. Rozenfeld is Hasbro Children's Hospital's chief of pediatric critical care medicine and medical director of the LifePACT pediatric critical care transport team. Dr. Welsh is medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit. The PICU has ten intensivists.
How do children get to the intensive care unit?
If the child is in our hospital or comes to the Hasbro Children's Hospital emergency department and needs intensive care, we bring the child to our intensive care unit as soon as possible. If a child is first taken to another hospital and is critically ill, we will send the LifePACT pediatric critical care transport team to the referring hospital, help stabilize the child and bring the child back to our intensive care unit in an ambulance. Referring doctors at other hospitals can contact our transport team by calling 401-444-3000.
What is a pediatric intensivist?
A pediatric intensivist is a pediatric physician who has completed at least three years of subspecialty training in pediatric critical care medicine. The training focuses heavily on normal and abnormal human developmental physiology, resuscitation from acute life-threatening illness or trauma, regaining and maintaining a stable physiologic state, and technology as a means of sustaining life.
How does family-centered care work in the pediatric intensive care unit?
Families are integral to their child’s care. Parents/primary caregivers can visit 24 hours per day and one parent can sleep in the room with their child overnight. Parents are invited to join us on our twice daily rounds, listen to the care plan, and ask any questions. If parents are not available during the rounding time, then a member of the care team will reach out to them with daily updates. For families who speak a language other than English, we have in person and video interpreting services available for rounds and for any updates during the day.
What does it mean that the Hasbro Children’s Hospital PICU is a multidisciplinary unit?
In addition to the physicians, nurse practitioners, and bedside nurses, we have pharmacists, nutritionists, respiratory therapists, child life specialists and social workers on rounds with us and available throughout the day. In addition, we have rehabilitation services including speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists available to treat patients as needed.