Building Better ECMO Rooms

Aljassim, N. A., Abdulaziz, S., Fraser, J. F. The Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology DOI: 10.1051/ject/2025032

Abstract: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly recognized as a critical intervention for patients with refractory severe cardiac and/or respiratory failure who do not respond to conventional therapies. ECMO is a high-risk and demanding service that requires a trained multidisciplinary team that can provide close monitoring, precise, thorough, and constant management. Timely intervention is essential in emergencies; any failure to address them when ECMO malfunctions or when a patient deteriorates can lead to life-threatening situations that impact the medical team and can lead to moral distress. As ECMO use rises globally across all age groups, the need for optimized ICU rooms for ECMO patients—complete with appropriate bed preparation, staffing, and resource allocation—is vital. Such standardization can streamline ICU workflows and enhance patient safety and care quality.