Logistics and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in medical retrieval.
Prehospital Emergency Care · 2011-01-01 · Observational study
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the logistics and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) medical retrieval in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: We describe the logistics involved in ECMO road and rotary-wing retrieval by a multidisciplinary team during the H1N1 influenza epidemic in winter 2009 (i.e., June 1 to August 31, 2009). Basic patient demographics and key retrieval time lines were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 17 patients retrieved on ECMO, with their ages ranging from 22 to 55 years. The median weight was 110 kg. Four critical events were recorded during retrieval, with no adverse outcomes. The retrieval distance varied from 20.8 to 430 km. There were delays in times from retrieval booking to both retrieval tasking and retrieval team departure in 88% of retrievals. The most common reasons cited were "patient not ready" 23.5% (4/17); "vehicle not available," 23.5% (4/17); and "complex retrieval," 41.2% (7/17). The median time (hours:minutes) from booking with the medical retrieval unit (MRU) to tasking was 4:35 (interquartile range [IQR] 3:27-6:15). The median time lag from tasking to departure was 1:00 (IQR 00:10-2:20). The median stabilization time was 1:30 (IQR 1:20-1:55). The median retrieval duration was 7:35 (IQR 5:50-10:15). CONCLUSION: The process of development of ECMO retrieval was enabled by the preexistence of a high-volume experienced medical retrieval service. Although ECMO retrieval is not a new concept, we describe an entire process for ECMO retrieval that we believe will benefit other retrieval service providers. The increased workload of ECMO retrieval during the swine flu pandemic has led to refinement in the system and process for the future.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Time intervals · Helicopter & air ambulance · ECMO & mechanical circulatory support · Interfacility & critical care transport
Related articles
- Helicopter inter-hospital transfer for patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective 12-year analysis of a service system. (Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med, 2022)
- Factors Associated with Transport Instability and Outcome Deterioration During Interhospital Intensive Care Transfers of Patients with COVID-19 in Germany. (J Clin Med, 2026)
- A regional partnership model for VA-ECMO initiation and transfer from remote centers using air medical transport. (Int J Artif Organs, 2026)
- Interhospital Transportation of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO) Support-A 3-Year Regional Experience. (Pediatr Rep, 2026)
- Safety of Interhospital Transport for Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation Support. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2026)
- Aeromedical transport of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a 12-year experience from a regional mobile ECMO network in the French Caribbean. (Ann Intensive Care, 2026)