Critical Caring for the Heart of a Child

In many pediatric centers, cardiovascular disease is the single largest category of patients in a critical care unit. Specialization of care for these patients requires personnel with skills and knowledge that are derived from many disciplines, not confined to critical care, cardiology, cardiac surgery, nursing, or anesthesia.

Why PCICS Was Formed

PCICS was formed to provide an international, professional forum for promoting excellence in pediatric cardiac critical care medicine. As a professional medical society, PCICS promotes educational opportunities, and improved quality, outcomes, and culture within the subspecialty by providing a societal forum for individual clinicians.

With the growth of the sub-specialty, the Society has grown in scope and outreach as well. International meetings have become forums for the exchange of scientific ideas, promotion of collaboration, and expansion of inter-professional care delivery. Today PCICS' more than 900 members represent the entire PCIC patient care team in nearly 30 countries.

PCICS' Members:

• Support, encourage, and promote excellence in clinical care and research in the field of pediatric cardiac critical care,
• Encourage collegial relationships among pediatric sub-specialists and the interprofessional patient care team,
• Improve the level of care of neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients with congenital heart disease; pediatric patients with acquired cardiovascular disease; and pediatric patients after cardiac surgery,
• Promote basic, translational, and clinical research related to pediatric patients in heart disease,
• Organize international scientific meetings,
• Facilitate links between complementary international and national professional colleges and societies, and
• Promote and disseminate related quality/safety and educational materials.