PICU & Organ Donation with Dr. Sonny Dhanani

Critical Levels

On today’s episode we sit down with Dr. Sonny Dhanani, Chief of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

We discuss the approach and management of the critically ill child, with an in-depth discussion on the A-B-Cs.

With respect to airway, we chat tips/tricks for airway management, as well as intubation.

On the topic of breathing, we chat about bagging and some of the physiological cardio-respiratory concerns of our efforts. We also discuss the causes of arrest and how our interventions may have a role.

Lastly, with respect to the sick child, we cover circulation. Fluid resuscitation (physiology/type/volume/medical vs. trauma), IOs, the symptomatic bradycardic patient(pacing, pressors/medications, etc.), and shock are all topics on the table.

From here, we pivot to how death is determined, and how organ donation works.