When heart or lung failure strikes, ECMO steps in—delivering life-sustaining oxygen when the body can’t. Once considered a surgical side tool, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) now plays a vital role in modern intensive care, from ARDS and cardiac arrest to COVID-19 and transplant support. In this article, we break down how ECMO works, how it evolved from heart-lung bypass, and why it’s become the bridge to survival for so many patients.

What if more lives could be saved—and more hospitals stabilized—just by shifting the conversation around ECMO? In a powerful episode of the KevinMD Podcast, Dr. John Mehall shares real stories, hard truths, and hopeful solutions. His message is clear: ECMO isn’t experimental anymore. It’s essential. And it’s time every hospital had a plan.

What if you could work on the front lines of life-saving care—and still have a life?
At Innovative ECMO, that’s not just possible, it’s standard. Our new workforce model gives ECMO specialists 24 weeks of protected time off, self-managed schedules, and the support they need to thrive. Because when care teams are supported, patients win.

Clinicians asked. IEC delivered. The ECMO Clinical Calculator app puts essential formulas and flow calculations at your fingertips—helping critical care teams save time, reduce error, and act with confidence. Built by ECMO experts, it’s now a go-to tool for providers in every care setting.

From program expansion to clinical education and financial modeling, Innovative ECMO Concepts hit key milestones in 2023 — including doubling its ECMO travel team and launching new services that help hospitals improve outcomes while controlling costs.

Discover the operational and clinical factors that allow ECMO programs to expand without sacrificing safety or outcomes. From staffing models to transport planning, this guide explores scalable strategies that work in real-world hospital settings.