American Family Children’s Hospital announces expansion to pediatric intensive care unit

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - UW Health Kids announced Monday the expansion of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at American Family Children’s Hospital.

The health system explained when the children’s hospital opened in 2007, its 33,000-square-foot sixth floor was left empty to plan for the increased demand expected. Now, to meet growing demand, the children’s hospital is adding a cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

UW Health Kids said there are plans to build 24 pediatric and cardiac intensive care beds, with 14 rooms for medical surgical PICU patients and 10 rooms for CICU patients.

The project will cost $33 million and will be funded through philanthropy. There have already been two donations totaling $15 million, which are leading off the campaign.

Nikki Stafford, president of American Family Children’s Hospital and system vice president of pediatric services, said the expansion is essential to meet the demand. She noted UW Health Kids had to turn away over 100 kids needing PICU services in 2023 because there were no beds available.

“One patient turned away is too many,” Stafford said. “Families should not face the uncertainty of whether there is a hospital bed available when a child is sick.”

The addition will increase the American Family Children’s Hospital bed count to 131.

UW Health Kids noted there has been a rise in demand for heart care. Over the past three years, American Family Children’s Hospital saw a 46% increase in cardiac patients and a 23% increase in cardiac inpatient surgical cases. Stafford said that having a CICU will allow doctors to care for each patient’s needs.

“It is clear our expertise is in demand, which underscores the necessity to expand our pediatric intensive care unit and to have a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit,” Stafford said. “We are excited for this project to get underway because it will positively impact all the children and families who come to the hospital.”

UW Health Kids said construction is expected to begin in 2026 and the unit should open in late 2027.

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