Expanded resources through utilization of a primary care giver extracorporeal membrane oxygenation model.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a long-term extracorporeal support for critically ill patients with life-threatening compromises in cardiac and/or respiratory function. The unpredictability of ECMO resources for a large pediatric and adult population prompted a need for the ability to respond to significant fluctuations in the volume of patients on ECMO. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the Primary Care Giver (PCG) ECMO Staffing Model was developed to accommodate unpredictable fluctuations in ECMO activity and to maintain flexibility and fiscal responsibility in turbulent economic times.