The implementation of a project with this national dimension is an important step to develop a continuous evaluation of the care delivered by these PICU to critically ill children.
Considering the individual dimension of all the PICUs it is very important to gather the data from all of these patients to achieve a sample with enough number to allow the implementation of multicentric research (national or international), as well as to allow international recognition of the Portuguese PICUs.
Also, this Project could be an important tool for the national health authorities responsible for the definition of health policies, in a future reorganization of the network of PICUs in Portugal.
