Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU)

Patient Resources

Download the MSICU Family Resource Booklet in English

Descargue el Folleto de Recursos para Familias de MSICU en español

قم بتنزيل كتيب موارد العائلة في MSICU باللغة العربية

You are a valued member of your child's care team. Parents and siblings of any age are welcome in the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit 24 hours a day.

Visiting the MSICU

We are located on the seventh and eighth floors of the Berthiaume building.

When you visit, we ask that you wear a parent ID badge, which you may obtain in the main lobby before going upstairs. We also ask that you stop at the MSICU front desk each time you visit. A staff member will check your parent ID badge and let your child's nurse know you are here. If any visiting siblings are under age 12, they must check in at the information desk in the main lobby to be screened for illness prior to entering the unit.

For all others, visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. We recommend two visitors at a time, and ask that all visitors be accompanied by a parent.

Parking can validated/discounted at the information desk in the main lobby.

Getting updates on your child’s condition

We are happy to provide updates and answer questions about your child's condition at any time, 24 hours a day. To protect your child's privacy, we will only provide information to parents or designated family members. We ask that other family members and friends contact you or the person you designate for information about your child.

We recommend keeping a log or notebook to keep track of your child’s medical information, with a list of your questions as they come up. We will try to answer all your questions honestly and to the best of our ability. You are always welcome to request a family meeting with your child’s care team.

Amenities in the MSICU and beyond

Your child’s room: So your child is as comfortable as possible in the MSICU, we encourage you to bring in stuffed animals, blankets, music boxes, and/or pictures. Please label all personal property with your child's name to prevent items from being misplaced. There is a black phone located at each of the bed spaces for parents to use. Directions on how to call out and listen to your voicemail messages are located on the phones.
The unit’s Family Waiting Room is available to all families and guests. You’ll find a television, telephones, a small refrigerator, and a microwave.
Breastfeeding mothers are welcome to use our unit’s lockable private room, furnished with a breast pump. Pump kits are also available, and your baby’s nurse can call in a lactation consultant if you need information and assistance with breastfeeding or pumping. The hospital provides meal trays for breastfeeding mothers, which you may order through your baby's nurse.
The interfaith chapel, operated by the Department of Spiritual Care, is located on the first floor of the Farley Building. It is open 24 hours a day and offers a peaceful and comforting place for quiet reflection or prayer. You may also request a visit by a chaplain by calling the office directly at 617-355-6664, or by speaking with a nurse. Our program includes nearly a dozen clergy members — representing Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Unitarian, and United Church of Christ traditions — who will listen to you, pray with you, and help you observe your own faith practices during your child’s treatment.

Discharge from the MSICU

Discharge plans are individualized to best meet each child's medical needs and family circumstances. Your child may be transferred to an intermediate care hospital closer to home, directly to a specialized pediatric unit at Boston Children's Hospital, to a long term care facility for prolonged recovery, or directly home.

Families of children going home from the MSICU will have teaching on how to care for your child at home, and, if needed, support services in place such as a visiting nurse service.