How Respiratory Season Impacts ECMO Demand—And How to Prepare Your Program
Every fall, cardiovascular program leaders face the same challenge: respiratory season is coming, ECMO demand will surge, but the timing and volume remain impossible to predict. This year, with overlapping flu, RSV, and COVID-19 circulating simultaneously, the pressure on ECMO programs has intensified—and so has the strain on the teams that support them. For hospitals […]
Verticalization: The Bridge to Mobilizing ECMO Patients
Want to learn how to implement these mobilization strategies in your ECMO program? Join us January 20-21, 2026 for our hands-on ECMO Collaborative Care and Mobilization Simulation Course in Murfreesboro, TN. Register here. __________ For decades, patients on ECMO faced a predictable fate: deeply sedated, paralyzed, intubated, and bed-bound. These were patients in profound cardiogenic […]
What’s the Difference Between ECLS and ECMO?
ECLS (Extracorporeal Life Support) and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) are terms often used interchangeably in clinical settings—but they’re not exactly the same. ECMO is the most common form of ECLS, providing temporary heart and lung support through membrane oxygenation. This blog breaks down the history, terminology, and configurations behind both terms, helping clinicians, educators, and program leaders understand how they fit into modern critical care. We also clarify how ECLS/ECMO differs from ECPR and why it matters for training and protocol development.
Integration Health Acquires ECMO Advantage to Expand Nationwide Access to Life-Saving ECMO Services
Integration Health has acquired ECMO Advantage, strengthening its position as the leading national provider of ECMO, perfusion, and transplant support services. The combined platform now supports over 55 hospitals across 22 states, offering 24/7 ECMO staffing, program development, education, and transport services. This strategic acquisition expands access to critical care solutions and reinforces Integration Health’s commitment to clinical excellence and operational readiness.
Why Every ICU Should Invest in Ongoing ECMO Education
ECMO is one of the most complex, high-stakes therapies in critical care—and its success hinges on more than technology. This article explores why ICU teams must invest in ongoing ECMO education to maintain clinical readiness, combat skill decay, and ensure patient safety. Learn how simulation, online modules, and bedside mentorship work together to create confident, competent ECMO teams.
Integration Health Launches as the Strategic Platform to Unify ECMO, Perfusion, and Transplant Support Services
Integration Health has officially launched as the new strategic platform uniting ECMO, perfusion, and NRP services under one umbrella for hospitals and OPOs nationwide. This streamlined structure brings together trusted brands — Innovative ECMO Concepts (IEC) and Innovative Perfusion Concepts (IPC) — to deliver comprehensive, specialized support across the entire continuum of extracorporeal care.
No Longer a Last Resort: ECMO as a Bridge to Lung Transplant
ECMO has long been viewed as a last-resort therapy, especially in transplant settings. But new data shows that with the right infrastructure and team, ECMO can serve as a highly effective bridge to lung transplant—even in patients over 60 or those not yet listed at the time of cannulation. A recent study found no significant difference in survival between patients listed before vs. after ECMO initiation, challenging old norms and validating the “bridge to decision” approach. One-year survival among those transplanted reached 88%, rivaling national averages. The case of Ben Askren, a former MMA fighter who received a double lung transplant after ECMO rescue, underscores this potential. As more hospitals implement full-spectrum ECMO programs, these findings reinforce the life-saving possibilities when time, expertise, and flexibility align.
Understanding the Difference: VA ECMO vs VV ECMO
VA ECMO vs VV ECMO: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters for Your Hospital Program
Understanding the difference between VA ECMO and VV ECMO is essential for hospitals building or expanding ECMO capabilities. This guide breaks down their clinical uses, strategic implications, and what every hospital leader should know before launching a program. From patient types to staffing and reimbursement, learn how to build an ECMO service that performs.
To Prone or Not to Prone: Navigating Mixed Evidence for Positioning During ECMO
Should patients on VV-ECMO be placed in the prone position? This article explores the evolving body of evidence — from observational studies to the PRONECMO randomized trial — and what it means for hospitals managing ARDS cases with ECMO support. Learn why prone positioning remains a debated intervention, what subgroups may benefit most, and how IEC encourages an individualized, safety-first approach grounded in both data and bedside experience.
AI and ECMO: The Future of Mortality Prediction in Critical Care
A new study using machine learning to predict 28-day mortality in VA ECMO patients could change how we manage risk in the ICU. With over 93% predictive accuracy using routine clinical data, this AI-driven model (eCMoML) offers ECMO teams a practical, real-world tool for patient selection, care planning, and resource optimization. Learn why this breakthrough matters—and how it could support your hospital’s next evolution in ECMO.