The nature of pediatric critical care nursing: perspectives of patient, family, and staff.

No one would advocate the establishment of a PICU in every hospital. However, in establishing regional pediatric facilities, provisions for critical care for children should be considered. A PICU unit that serves as a referral center, with adequate resources and trained personnel, can be both accessible and cost-effective. Pediatric critical care is a challenging arena for the nurse. These children, their families, and the staff form an interdependent triad that continually must try to anticipate and to meet the needs of the participants. The importance of developing care delivery systems that can support each person involved cannot be overemphasized. The ultimate outcome will be a stable setting for patient care that serves to resolve crisis, rather than to precipitate it, preserving the best interests of the patients, family, and staff.