Confessions of PCICU Leaders: Tales From the Past, Lessons for the Future

Abstract

Background: The pediatric cardiac intensive care environment is challenging and unpredictable due to the heterogeneous patient population. Leadership within this complex environment is critical for optimal outcomes.

Methods: The 10th International Meeting of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society provided a forum for leaders to share their own practice and experience that concluded with take-home messages regarding quality, safety, clinical effectiveness, stewardship, and leadership.

Results: Presentations defined vital aspects for successful outcomes and highlighted ongoing challenges.

Conclusions: Accomplishing exceptional outcomes requires a blend of clinical expertise, leadership, communication skills with briefing and debriefing, meaningful use of data, and transparency among peers and toward patients and their families.

Keywords: accountability; congenital heart disease; congenital heart surgery; data; effectiveness; families; intensive care; interdisciplinary; leadership; patients; quality; safety; stewardship; team; transparency; trust.