COVINGTON, LA. – The June opening of St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s level two pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) caps a focused, years’ long effort to complete world-class pediatric services for west St. Tammany families. Details were shared in a press release.
“We’re excited to cut the ribbon on our beautiful PICU and pediatrics unit at St. Tammany Parish Hospital,” said Kerry Milton BSN RN MSHA, senior vice president and chief nursing officer, said. “In partnership with Ochnser Hospital for Children, we are elevating the level of pediatric specialty care available close to home, now providing the most comprehensive health system for children along the I-12 corridor.”
Staffed by Ochsner Hospital for Children pediatric intensivists, the new PICU delivers a team with specialized training in caring for patients age 18 and under in need of higher-acuity care. The same physicians will also care for patients in STPH’s newly renovated inpatient pediatrics unit adjacent to the PICU.
Ochsner provided specialized training for the STPH pediatrics team to prepare them for young patients with respiratory infections, diabetes, seizure disorders and other conditions that may require the use of a ventilator, continuous cardiac monitoring or other highly specialized pediatric care.
“Ochsner Hospital for Children is proud to partner with St. Tammany Parish Hospital to further advance pediatric care throughout the Northshore Region,” said Israel Temple, MD, Ochsner pediatric intensivist. “This new Level II PICU is state-of-the-art, and our Ochsner physicians are excited to be providing the care. The children in west St. Tammany Parish deserve the best, and that’s what they will get through this partnership.”
Ochsner Hospital for Children subspecialists in the Covington pediatric specialty clinic provide a full schedule of appointments in pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, otolaryngology, nutrition, general surgery, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, plastic surgery (including hand), orthopedics, pulmonology, urology and other specialties.
