Lurie Children’s is now one of a handful of pediatric hospitals in the country that operates an Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) – continuing on our mission to provide the right care for every patient. Modeled off of peer institutions with similar programs, this unit provides a level of care that falls in between the care provided in the Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the acute care provided on the general inpatient floors. It was designed to address increased demand for PICU-level care by providing safe, efficient, and evidence-based care for patients who require closer monitoring and a higher level of nursing/respiratory care than provided on the acute care wards.
Our Specialists
Our multidisciplinary team is specially trained to treat infants, children, and adolescents. Lurie Children’s physicians, especially those in the following areas, provide coordinated care for our patients:
In addition to board-eligible/board-certified physicians, the team includes specialists and subspecialists, including:
- Specifically trained nurses
- Pediatric advanced practice nurse practitioners
- Respiratory Therapists
- Pharmacists
- Clinical Nutritionists
- Case Managers
- Music Therapists
- Child Life Specialists
- Speech Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Social Workers
- Chaplains
Our Approach
The Intermediate Care Unit is a 20-bed unit, located on floor 15 at Lurie Children’s, with dedicated 24/7 physician, nursing, and respiratory care coverage. When your child is admitted to the IMCU, our multidisciplinary team of experienced healthcare providers will perform a comprehensive history and examination, develop a treatment plan, and coordinate your child's care with any other specialists or providers that may be necessary.
We believe in family-centered care, which means that we involve the whole family in a patient’s treatment plan to promote the best health outcomes. Our team works closely with numerous support services and specialists to provide coordinated, efficient, and comprehensive care to your child and family.
Irini N. Kolaitis, MD is the Medical Director of the Intermediate Care Unit. Dr. Kolaitis is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Associate Division Head of Hospital-Based Medicine. She is board-certified in pediatrics.
Conditions We Treat
The IMCU provides cares for many medical and surgical conditions. Common conditions include:
- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Croup
- Pneumonia
- Tracheitis
- Ingestions
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This unit also provides care for patients who are a part of the Pulmonary Habilitation Program, which provides specialized care to chronically ill ventilator-dependent children.
Our Location
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Research
Our research focuses on developing, studying, and implementing pediatric intermediate care guidelines and best practices. Our long-term goal is for Lurie Children’s to become a national leader in defining and studying pediatric intermediate care.