Who takes care of my loved one during ECMO?

While in intensive care, your family member will have many people assigned to their care. You will see an ECMO specialist and an intensive care nurse often.

The ECMO specialist is a nurse or respiratory therapist who has special training in ECMO. The specialist takes care of the ECMO pump.

The intensive care nurse takes care of your family member’s daily needs, working together with the ECMO specialist and other members of the team to provide the best care for your loved one.

The ECMO Team

• ECLS medical director
• ECLS director
• ECLS coordinators
• ECLS specialists
• Surgeons

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Team

• ICU staff physician
• ICU fellow/resident physician
• ICU nurses
• Respiratory therapist

Other team members who may be involved include:

• Dietitian
• Physical therapist
• Social worker
• Chaplain
• Kidney doctor and nurses
• Pharmacist
• Heart doctor and nurses