Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Topic: ECMO– Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

1. Introduction – 5 points/5%
2. b. Explanation and Background– 15 points/15%
3. Risks and Benefits– 15 points/15%
4. Interdisciplinary team’s Roles and Responsibilities– 20 points/20%
5. Nursing Scope of Practice – 15 points/15%
6. Conclusion – 5 points/5%
   

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

Introduction

ECMO is a kind of life-support for people with serious illnesses or injuries that affect their lungs or heart’s effectiveness. ECMO ensures that blood flow is maintained throughout the body and ensures blood gasses like carbon dioxide and oxygen are well-balanced. ECMO doesn’t cure heart or lung issues, however it does perform intermittently the lung and heart functions which allows them to be more comfortable (Mayo Clinic 2022). It uses an extracorporeal machine to circulate blood to oxygenate it and aids the body in getting rid of carbon dioxide. Thus, this article reviews ECMO background including advantages and risks, interprofessional team duties and roles, the nursing scope of practice and the patient’s education.

Background

ECMO has a long-standing history that began in the 1950s, as a support device for people who had to undergo cardiac bypass surgeries. The popularity of the device increased as technology improved. ECMO is a vital treatment for the rescue of patients suffering from chronic circulatory problems or respiratory issues. In EMCO the blood is drained into pipes or plastic bags by a single incision (Botsch and co. 2019,). Blood is pumped across the ECMO machine via pump that replaces the heart. The heart is then modified according to the needs of the patient. For example, patients could be given medications, such as Heparin to decrease blood clots. Additionally, antibiotics are used to prevent infections, sedatives that aid in movement to induce sleep, diuretics for the elimination of fluids, and electrolytes in order to ensure a proper salt and sugar equilibrium. Additionally, due to advancements in technology and a growing understanding, ECMO has grown more reliable in terms of security (Na et al. in 2018, 2018). In addition, EMCO is considered an costly option, with an estimate of $5,000 per day.