*NEW* Levels of Care - Pediatric Critical Care

The Pediatric Critical Care Levels of Care describe individual patient care needs and should be aligned to the appropriate available service, as close to home as safely as possible.

Consideration of a site's ability to meet the needs of critically ill children as described is essential.  If a team is unsure the patient's needs can be met, referral and support from a pediatric critical care unit is advised.

Protocols and procedures are required to ensure children requiring higher Levels of Care can be transferred promptly to the appropriate centre for their needs.  Thus, there should be an established referral structure between Critical Care units, including mutual escalation and repatriation policies and an established joint review process.