Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Led Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Simulation Training

Critically ill patients with cardiac and/or respiratory failure may require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to restore physiological function. The use of ECMO in intensive care units (ICUs) in the United States has increased over the past decade, most recently with the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, an estimated 33 000 patients received ECMO support, with survival rates of 59% (pulmonary) and 43% (cardiac).¹  Approaches for ECMO support are either venoarterial or venovenous cannulation aimed at restoring the patient’s cardiopulmonary or pulmonary function. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is indicated for severe cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and acute respiratory distress syndrome refractory to conventional therapies.²  Its management requires trained and experienced critical care providers (eg, nurses) as well as institutional infrastructure with robust leadership to ensure safety and quality patient care.^2,3  The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) recommends that ECMO training should consist of didactic courses,...