Understanding early unplanned PICU readmission

Mohamed Elsayed, Senior PICU Fellow in Southampton, discusses research into unplanned readmission to paediatric intensive care within 48 hours of discharge. He describes a retrospective study examining the frequency of readmission and factors that may contribute to it. The interview considers opportunities to identify children who may need additional support around discharge and the potential role of wider-team assessment and follow-up. Mohamed reflects on how understanding readmission can inform quality improvement and help teams examine the safety of care transitions, while recognising the limitations of the study and the need for further work.

This interview took place at the PCCS Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 in London.