Allocation of resources and development of guidelines for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): Experience from a pediatric center in the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic
jpedsurg.org shows its articles on its own site.
Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Sep 2020 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
A pediatric ECMO center in the COVID-19 epicenter developed new protocols for patient selection, cannulation, and daily care to manage both pediatric and adult patients during the pandemic surge. The article details strategies for resource allocation, infection control, and healthcare worker protection when providing ECMO to COVID-19 positive patients in an overwhelmed hospital system.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has exceeded the standard capacity of many hospital systems and led to an unprecedented scarcity of resources, including the already limited resource of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). With the large amount of critically ill patients and the highly contagious nature of the virus, significant consideration of ECMO candidacy is crucial for both appropriate allocation of resources as well as ensuring protection of health care personnel. As a leading pediatric ECMO program in the epicenter of the pandemic, we established new protocols and guidelines in order to continue caring for our pediatric patients while accepting adult patients to lessen the burden of our hospital system which was above capacity. This article describes our changes in consultation, cannulation, and daily care of COVID-19 positive patients requiring ECMO as well as discusses strategies for ensuring safety of our ECMO healthcare personnel and optimal allocation of resources.
Level of Evidence
Level V.