St. Louis Children’s Hospital

The Progressive Care Unit (PCU or 7W) is a 26 bed cardiology/transplant step-down unit. The primary function of the PCU is to provide family-centered, evidence-based, comprehensive, quality-nursing care to patients and their families. The PCU is a specialized area of expertise requiring sharp assessment and critical thinking skills accompanied with effective communication skills. It involves understanding the implications of growth and development on physiologic and pathophysiologic processes and being able to apply the knowledge in caring for the patient.

The Progressive Care Unit transitions the patient and family from the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit to home. The transition begins with parents and physicians collaborating together to determine the best possible course of care for the child. This means involving parents in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care the child receives. We recognize the vital role the family plays, encourage parent-to-parent support and respect family choices. Patient and family education is woven into everyday life on the unit and is complete with hands-on learning. This allows parents and families to feel comfortable and confident in the transition and caring for their child at home.

Patient Population:

The patient population of the PCU consists of patients of all ages from infancy to adulthood. Some of the various diagnosis that are treated in the PCU include:

• Patients with Congenital Heart Defects
• Patients with chronic heart/lung disease
• Cardiothoracic Surgery patients pre and post surgery after ICU stay
• Patients pre and post Cardiac Catheterization
• Patients with Cardiomyopathy
• Patients requiring inotropic infusion.
• Patients requiring ventricular assist devices
• Patients who are ventilator/trach dependant
• Heart Transplant
• Lung Transplant
• Heart/Lung Transplant

The PCU Team:

• Registered Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physicians
• Registered Dieticians
• Physician Assistants
• Pastoral Services
• Social Workers
• Speech/Physical/Occupational Therapist
• Child Life Specialist
• Clinical Nurse Educator
• Pharmacist
• Patient Care Techicians
• Unit Secretaries
• Transplant Coordinators
• House Staff Assistant
• Respiratory Therapist
• Home Care Coordinator

PCU Leadership Team:

• Nurse Manager
• Assistant Nurse Managers
• Nurse Practitioners
• Medical Director
• Assistant Nurse Manager
• Clinical Nurse Educator
• Charge Nurses

Continuing Education:

Each nurse is PALS certified and must renew certification biannually and completes unit competencies on an annual basis.

All nursing staff receives training in EKG rhythm analysis, code management, and must attend three mandatory cardiology/pulmonary/transplant educational sessions per year.

Charge nurses within the PCU are also ACLS certified.

Nursing Achievements:

Certifications on this unit include Certified Nursing Administrator and Certified Pediatric Nurses.