Canada’s first telepediatric intensive care program
Canada’s first telepediatric intensive care service (tele-PICU) provides children with increased access to specialized care closer to their home community.
Canada’s first telepediatric intensive care service (tele-PICU) provides children with increased access to specialized care closer to their home community. Tele-PICU allows teams at BC Children’s or Victoria General Hospital to assess children through real-time, two-way videoconferencing using high-resolution cameras and digital stethoscopes that enable physicians and nurses to see patients as well as to listen to and amplify sounds of the heart and lungs of seriously ill or injured children. Intensive care teams can collaborate with health care providers in communities across the province to help children receive diagnosis and treatment sooner and often without leaving their community.
Tele-PICU is part of Child Health BC’s Children’s Virtual Care initiative that integrates telehealth and other technologies to enhance services to children throughout BC. These sites include technology and telehealth equipment as well as equipment to support pediatric visits with trained nurses and support staff.
The service is currently available at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Nanaimo Regional Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and BC Children’s Hospital. Tele-PICU was established by Child Health BC in partnership with the Island and Interior Health Authorities.