Guidelines for developing admission and discharge policies for the pediatric intensive care unit. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Hospital Care and Section of Critical Care. Society of Critical Care Medicine. Pediatric Section Admission Criteria Task Force.

Abstract

These guidelines were developed to provide a reference for preparing policies on admission to and discharge from pediatric intensive care units. They represent a consensus opinion of physicians, nurses, and allied health care professionals. By using this document as a framework for developing multidisciplinary admission and discharge policies, use of pediatric intensive care units can be optimized and patients can receive the level of care appropriate for their condition.