Current status of pediatric intensive care units: a national survey of general hospitals, children′s hospitals and maternal and child health hospitals in China / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the status of pediatric intensive care unit(PICU) in general hospitals, children′s hospitals and hospitals for maternal and child health care in China, and provide the basis for standardizing and improving the construction of the PICUs.Methods:The survey was a multicenter, cross-sectional study about the PICU among 126 hospitals in Chinese mainland conducted by online questionnaire from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.Results:In PICUs at general hospitals, children′s hospitals, and hospitals for maternal and child health care, the median number of beds was 14.5, 27.0 and 15.0, respectively, and the median doctor/bed ratio was 0.47, 0.43 and 0.44, respectively.PICUs in three types of hospitals were equipped with monitors and ventilators, and the expansion rate of invasive ventilators was 100%.The proportion of PICU with national continuing education classes, the development rate of two-stage resident training programs and regular examinations for critical care professionals in children′s hospitals was 67% and 75%, respectively, which were much higher than those at general hospitals(20%, 50%) and hospitals for maternal and child health care(30%, 45%), the differences were statistically significant( P<0.05). The year-round median bed utilization rate was more than 85%, especially for children′s hospital, which reached to 100%. Conclusion:In PICUs, the number of beds cannot meet the clinical needs, and the number of medical staff is insufficient.Compared with PICUs of general hospitals and hospitals for maternal and child health care, PICUs in children′s hospitals are more comprehensive in equipment configuration, personnel training and assessment system.