Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Clinic
Your child’s healing journey extends beyond their stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
That’s why we created the Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Clinic (PCRC), located at Kentucky Children's Richmond Road. Our highly specialized team is here to answer your questions, monitor recovery, and ensure your child has the support they need to thrive at home, in school and in the community.
Conditions we treat
We provide follow-up and ongoing care for the following conditions:
- Severe infections, including:
- Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Traumatic events, including:
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Near-drowning
- Serious burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cardiac or respiratory arrest that leads to the use of CPR, mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
- Neurologic emergencies, including:
- Seizures and status epilepticus
- Stroke
- Acute kidney injury
Pediatric post-intensive care syndrome
After your child is medically stable and back home, you might notice changes in how your child thinks, feels and moves. Some of these effects may not show up until days or weeks after discharge.
This could mean that your child is experiencing post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Our clinic has specialized expertise in recognizing and managing this condition.
Common symptoms of PICS include:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Depression
- Difficulty talking
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Memory problems
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble concentrating
Who we treat
We care for children of all ages who have been treated in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Golisano Children’s at UK, which can refer you to our clinic after a consult.
Our team will follow up with you via a phone call within two weeks; we can conduct an in-person or virtual visit in about two months.
Meet our team
The Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Clinic is made up of a pediatric intensivist, nurse and social workers.
Dr. Mashael Alqahtani serves as the clinic’s medical director. She is a board-certified pediatric critical care physician with specialized expertise in post-ICU recovery, neurocognitive outcomes and long-term follow-up care of critically ill children.
With years of experience under her belt, she understands that healing continues long after the hospital stay ends. She is passionate about bridging the gap between hospital discharge and full recovery.
Seamless, coordinated care
A stay in the PICU can be a life-changing experience — for both children and their families.
The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this healing journey alone. The Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Clinic is here for you every step of the way.
Our family-centered approach to treatment means we listen to your goals and concerns. We design a custom care plan for your child with your input.
This clinic does not replace your child’s pediatrician. Instead, we work closely with your pediatrician to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital and to provide specialized care during this vital recovery phase. Our team also offers personalized referrals, therapy coordination and school support when needed.
Why choose UK HealthCare?
No other program in the region provides the same coordinated, multidisciplinary care following a PICU stay as our Pediatric Critical Care Recovery Clinic.
We offer the highest level of care, including:
- Expertise in managing post-intensive care syndrome
- Direct follow-up with the PICU team that treated your child
- Access to leading-edge therapies and clinical trials
- Strong partnerships with schools and community pediatricians
