Pediatric Med / Surg (Unit 44/45)
44/45 Pediatrics is a 70-bed inpatient unit located on the south & east wings of the fourth floor in the Patient Services Building.
The unit consists of 9 Intermediate beds (3 private and 3 semi-private) and 61 acute beds (19 private and 42 semi-private). Within the 61 floor beds, there are 8 private, negative air flow isolation rooms and 6 Epilepsy monitored beds.
Intermediate care beds all have a bedside monitor capable of continuous EKG, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. The IMC patients can be monitored within the rooms, as well as remotely from each IMC alcove and centrally at the nursing station. The 61 acute care beds are can accommodate continuous pulse oximetry monitoring. Telemetry monitoring is available on 44 Pediatrics.
Family centered care is provided to patients on the unit, allowing for one parent to be with their child 24 hours per day. A family room, sponsored by Ronald McDonald® House, located on the 10th floor, offers a place for families to relax, prepare and eat meals, contact family members, and sleep in the hospital.
A family resource room is available on 44/45 for families to congregate, and access information or communicate via internet.
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Description of Patient Populations
44/45 Peds is a medical and surgical pediatric unit. The patients admitted to unit represent all of the surgical, medical and sub-specialty services, such as general pediatrics, oncology, hematology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, immunology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, ENT, trauma and burn injuries and general surgery. Children admitted to 44/45 Pediatrics range in age from neonates to young adults.
Common medical procedures and therapies performed on the unit include lumbar puncture, peripherally-inserted central catheters, blood administration, chemotherapy, intravenous therapy, oxygen therapy and telemetry monitoring.
The average daily census of the IMC is 6.8 patients per day with an average length of stay of 4.72 days. The average daily census for the floor is 46.3 patients per day with an average length of stay of 2.22 days for 44 Peds section and 3.14 days for 45 Peds section. The unit is operational 24 days per 7 days per week.
Nursing Care
Nursing staff is committed to providing family centered, age appropriate and innovative patient care through the assessment, diagnosis, planning, treatment and evaluation, and education of patients from admission to discharge. The 44/45 Pediatrics nursing staff meets the basic requirements for Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Patient Care Assistant (PCA), and function in accordance with the unit-based job descriptions as described in the Hospital Plan for nursing care. The Registered Nurse is responsible for developing an individualized plan of care in conjunction with the other healthcare professionals. Nursing care delivered by LPNs and PCAs is delegated by the Registered Nurse.
Additional unit requirements for the staff to prepare them to care for acutely ill children are met through an orientation program. Following orientation, specific additional educational objectives are met according to the staff nurses’ ability and annual performance appraisal. The nursing staff is expected to demonstrate a positive attitude towards family-centered care, with the ability, willingness and interest to meet the age-appropriate and developmental needs of the patients.
Unit Clerks and Clerk Monitor Technicians meet the basic requirements for their positions and function in accordance with their unit-based job descriptions, as described in the Hospital Plan for Nursing Care. Clerical staff supports the needs of the multi-disciplinary staff and team within the patient care environment.
Health Care Team
The Medical director for the unit is a board certified pediatric surgeon who is also a professor in the Department of Surgery, College of Medicine in the University of Florida. The medical team consists of Attending Physicians, Fellows, Residents, Interns, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and medical students. In addition to the nursing and medical staff, the multi-disciplinary team for patients on 4/45 Pediatrics also consists of:
- licensed social workers
- case managers
- child life specialist
- respiratory
- physical and occupational therapists
- pharmacist
- dieticians
- Wound and Skin nurses
The nursing management structure for the unit consists of a Nurse Manager, two Clinical Coordinators and two Unit Assistants with support from a Administrative Assistant. The management team provides training experiences to attain and maintain staff competence as defined by the unit and role specific job descriptions, and the departmental education plan.