Interhospital ECMO Transport: Regional Focus

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019;31(3):327-334. doi: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2019.01.003. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Abstract

Utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has increased dramatically over the last decade. Despite this trend, many medical centers have limited, if any, access to this technology or the resources necessary to manage these complex patients. In an effort to improve the current infrastructure of regional ECMO care, ECMO centers of excellence have an obligation to partner with facilities within their communities and regions to increase access to this potentially life-saving technology. While the need for this infrastructure is widely acknowledged in the ECMO community, few reports describe the actual mechanisms by which a successful interfacility transport program can operate. As such, the purpose of this document is to describe the elements of and methods for providing safe and efficient mobile ECMO services from the perspective of an experienced, high-volume tertiary ECMO center of excellence in the Southeastern United States.

Keywords: Critical care; ECMO; Hospital systems; Transport.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / organization & administration*
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* / adverse effects
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* / mortality
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration
  • Patient Selection
  • Patient Transfer / organization & administration*
  • Referral and Consultation / organization & administration*
  • Regional Health Planning / organization & administration*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / mortality
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy*
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / diagnosis
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / mortality
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / physiopathology
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triage