Transforming Pediatric Care for Critically Ill Patients in BC: A Journey of Collaboration and Innovation

Access to specialized pediatric care in British Columbia (BC) is challenging. There are only two Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) in BC, both located in the province's southwest corner. The geographic, weather, and logistical challenges related to pediatric patient transport often result in delays that require community providers to manage the initial resuscitation and critical care, sometimes with limited tools, training, or support. To “right size” the care to our provincial needs, the Pediatric Critical Care Outreach Project was launched in 2022.

This concurrent session will introduce the innovative strategies the PICU has utilized to improve the care of critically ill patients across the province. We will walk through the steps involved in community provider and patient and family engagement, the building of relationship across medical specialties (pediatrics, critical care and emergency medicine) and the engagement with the provincial health improvement networks. This project developed a multipronged approach with complementary strategies to support the critical care of our patients applicable to any site across the province. The three main components of the work include: 1) the integration of video technology into remote support, 2) a comprehensive education strategy that includes structured education across regional health authorities and monthly virtual case-based learning and 3) the development of web-based resources. Review of the outcomes and the evaluation strategies utilized in this work will support others in their transition from a project to program.

This session will provide a roadmap for the development of provincially or nationally applicable resources which will match care to patient needs. This work explores opportunities to support a diverse range of providers, from rural hospitals to urban regional centers, establishing a model of broad partnership and engagement that drives provincial healthcare improvements. This approach offers a scalable, inclusive framework for strengthening pediatric critical care capabilities across rural and urban communities alike.