Bolen “Bo” McAlilly was the first patient admitted to North Mississippi Medical Center’s new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, which allows children with moderately complex diagnoses to stay closer to home for critical care.
The 16-month-old daughter of Chris and Millie McAlilly of Oxford became congested, started wheezing and spiked a high fever. Her parents rushed Bo more than 50 miles to NMMC, where she was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a viral infection affecting both the upper respiratory region (nose, mouth and throat) and lower respiratory tract (lungs). Because bronchiolitis is especially severe in children under age 2, Bo was admitted to the Pediatric ICU. Pediatric intensivist Lisa-Gaye Thomas, M.D., is serving as the primary physician for the unit. The University of Mississippi Medical Center-Children’s of Mississippi provides pediatric intensivist coverage at NMMC around the clock. The unit is staffed by registered nurses and respiratory therapists who are specially trained in critical care.
Millie says it was very difficult to see their baby attached to so much high-tech equipment. “It was a very high stress situation for us, but they were all calm,” she said. “We could tell the nurses and respiratory therapists have so much confidence in the doctors. Dr. Vishwa Gajula and Dr. Thomas are such gifts to the hospital. The entire staff was just an incredible team.”
“It’s comforting to know we have wonderful pediatric staff and a Pediatric ICU in north Mississippi to care for our children,” Chris adds.
Encompassing four rooms on 2 South, the PICU serves children with complications from diabetes, children with respiratory illnesses requiring CPAP, BiPap or mechanical ventilation, asthmatic patients requiring continuous Albuterol treatments, and other conditions requiring close monitoring.
“In the past few years we have seen an increase in a variety of pediatric services in our community, including pediatric subspecialists. Our ability to care for a child with a more complex inpatient diagnosis is a natural extension of some of these services,” said Ellen Friloux, administrator for Women and Children’s Services. “Our physicians, nursing and other ancillary staff are excited that this option is now available to children and families in our service area.”
“As stated in our mission, we will continue to look for opportunities to provide needed services not currently offered,” said David Wilson, NMMC president. “We are excited about the expansion of our pediatric services with the addition of an intensive care unit.”
Comments