Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving therapy, and its expanding accessibility is a beacon of hope in critical care. As more healthcare institutions take the crucial step of establishing an ECMO program, the need for expert guidance has never been more apparent. This is where partners like Innovative ECMO Concepts (IEC) become invaluable, offering the expertise to ensure success from the outset.

 

ECMO’s cutting-edge technology demands specialized education, leaving many hospitals uncertain about how to effectively train their teams and maintain competency in this continuously evolving field. However, the ECMO journey does not end with initial programmatic training. The challenge lies in maintaining proficiency as ECMO practices advance and, perhaps more importantly, when ECMO volume is insufficient to maintain skills through regular bedside practice.

Multifaceted ECMO Training

At IEC, we understand these challenges intimately. Our education offerings include online education, in-person training, bedside precepting, and continuing education. We recognize that ECMO education requires a multifaceted approach, and theoretical knowledge alone is not sufficient. The most comprehensive ECMO education combines theoretical foundations with high-fidelity simulation, in-person support for initial ECMO patients, and ongoing continuing education to ensure sustained competency and confidence.

 

Here are the four pillars of IEC’s educational offerings:

Online Education: Learning at Your Fingertips

Our fully accredited online platform offers CME/CEU credits, allowing learners to access essential ECMO knowledge at their own pace. The platform provides structured and standardized ECMO training, ensuring a consistent learning experience across the team. With on-demand access, healthcare professionals can engage with the material at times that best fit their busy schedules.

Our comprehensive online resources cover all aspects of ECMO care, from basic principles to advanced techniques. To enhance the learning experience, we’ve included simulation videos that depict common Veno-Venous and Veno-Arterial ECMO scenarios, allowing learners to visualize and better understand critical situations they may encounter in real-world settings.

In-Person Training: Bridging Theory and Practice

Once the foundational knowledge is established through online learning, the next crucial step is hands-on practice. The most effective training mirrors real-world scenarios as closely as possible, which is why we bring our expertise directly to your facility, ensuring that your team trains on the exact equipment they’ll be using in critical situations. Other key features include:

 

• Classroom didactics based on ELSO guidelines, reinforcing and expanding upon the online learning
• High-fidelity simulation using your facility’s own ECMO equipment, allowing staff to gain comfort with the tools they’ll use daily
• Experienced instructors who share real-world insights and guide hands-on practice
• Customized training plans that accommodate your staff’s schedules and your institution’s specific needs
• Post-course assessments to ensure knowledge transfer and identify areas of opportunity

Bedside Precepting: Learning in the Real World

The next step is to bring the insights learned in simulation to the actual bedside. Our experienced ECMO specialists work side-by-side with your team, caring for ECMO patients and providing real-time guidance and support. This hands-on approach allows learners to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, building confidence and competence with each patient interaction. Our preceptors offer individualized instruction, addressing specific patient situations as they arise until each team member demonstrates the proficiency necessary to manage ECMO patients independently.

Continuing Education: Staying Sharp and Current

Initial education is crucial, but equally important is ensuring that staff remain proficient and up-to-date. This is particularly vital with ECMO, where best practices are continually refined. Moreover, in situations where caseload is insufficient to maintain skills through regular practice, ongoing education becomes essential to combat skill decay.

 

Our continuing education services are designed to address these challenges, offering a variety of options, including annual competency assessments, hands-on refresher sessions, and consultations during team meetings or case reviews. These services help reinforce critical skills, introduce new techniques, and keep your team at the forefront of ECMO care.

 

At the heart of our continuing education offerings is our innovative Maintenance of Competency (MOC) Program. This comprehensive program combines weekly lessons from our accredited online curriculum with quarterly in-person, on-site classes. By blending digital learning with hands-on practice, the MOC Program ensures that your ECMO team stays current, confident, and capable.

 

Empowerment Through Education

In the end, the most sophisticated ECMO machine is only as effective as the hands that operate it and the minds that guide it. In that critical moment when a life hangs in the balance, there’s no greater asset than a team armed with knowledge, honed by practice, and confident in their abilities.

 

By offering a multifaceted learning experience—from online modules to hands-on simulations—we meet clinicians where they are, fitting seamlessly into the demanding rhythms of hospital life and accommodating diverse learning styles. It’s not just about education; it’s about empowerment, ensuring that every ECMO specialist can rise to the challenge when it matters most.