Acute Care Cardiology Unit

The Acute Care Cardiology Unit (ACCU) is an inpatient unit at the Children's Mercy Adele Hall campus. The ACCU cares for patients with cardiac disease, whether it was present at birth (congenital disease) or develops after birth (acquired disease). Children are usually sent to the ACCU from the emergency room or other outpatient setting, or they may be transferred from either the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) or the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Children in the ACCU may need additional support after they are born with a heart condition, or they may be recovering from surgery or another procedure. The goal of the unit is to provide specialized cardiac care to promote healing and recovery, and to get kids home safely.

Conditions and services

Our 23-bed unit is staffed by highly trained pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, and other multi-disciplinary personnel. All team members collaborate to develop individualized treatment plans for each child to restore them to their best health.  

The benefits of our unit:

• Knowledgeable staff: Our unit supports and manages a variety of cardiac issues, such as: patients recovering from cardiac surgery/procedure that no longer require ICU level of care, patients with history of complex or unrepaired congenital heart disease who are acutely ill for cardiac or non-cardiac related issues, heart failure patients with ventricular assist devices or on continuous milrinone, and more. 

• Specialized expertise: A variety of cardiac specialists help our team provide the best care to kids with heart problems. Your child’s team may include: adult congenital heart disease providers, advanced cardiac therapies, CHAMP®, advanced imagers, electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists, preventive cardiology services, and pulmonary hypertension providers. In addition, we work with experts from different specialties to provide the comprehensive care your child needs. 

• Continuous monitoring: We monitor each child’s heart rhythm, oxygen level, and vital signs 24 hours a day. The telemetry monitor allows the team to constantly monitor your child’s rhythm, even remotely! For higher risk patients we also can evaluate near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), a noninvasive technology that allows monitoring of the oxygen supply to all parts of the patient’s body.  

• Family-centered care: Each child has a private room, where caregivers are welcome to stay overnight. We know that you know your child best, so we welcome your input regarding your child’s care. Every day the medical team will meet with you and your child, either in the room or just outside the room to plan and coordinate care for “family-centered rounds.”
  
  

Frequently asked questions

When do rounds occur?

On weekdays, rounds occur between 9 a.m. and noon. The entire team (cardiologist, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacist) will come by the room to see your child. You are welcome to listen in if you want, or the team will update you afterwards. On the weekends, rounds occurs between 8a.m. and noon, but your child may not see every team member.

What is a PCU?

A PCU is a “Parent Care Unit.” When you are going to be discharged home with multiple medications, new or complex feed regimens, an alternate feeding source (nasogastric tube or gastric tube), or are part of CHAMP®, we have the primary caregivers complete a PCU. During this time the patient is off of monitors, and caregivers are responsible for giving all feeds and medications according to a predetermined schedule. This is to make sure that caregivers are comfortable with and understand all medications and feeds.

I have questions about a medication. Who can I talk to?

Our dedicated pharmacists will review new medications with you prior to discharge to educate you on how to give it, what dose to give, and answer any additional questions you may have.

How do I care for my child after surgery?

Before you leave the hospital, one of our nurse practitioners will review with you how to care for your child’s surgical incision, how to properly hold/carry them, and any precautions or activity limitations.

Your child’s care team

Since children with congenital heart disease have specific medical needs, we have a dedicated multidisciplinary team that will provide the care and support they need:

• Cardiologists
• Advanced Practice Providers
• Care managers
• Social worker
• Pharmacy
• Nutrition

Your child and your family may also receive support from our Child Life Specialists, Spiritual Services, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and even our Facility Dogs.