Start a Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Program: A Multistep Team Training.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Medical Education

Background:

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical life-support system for acute cardio-respiratory failure.
• Emergency events during ECMO are infrequent but necessitate immediate, expert management.
• ECMO team members require continuous development of cognitive, technical, and behavioral skills for critical scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a multistep educational program for ECMO team members.
• To assess the impact of simulation-based training on ECMO staff competency and confidence.
• To determine the effectiveness of combined traditional and simulation methods in preparing ECMO teams.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year educational program involving 32 ECMO team members.
• Initial module: didactic lectures, water drills, and animal training.
• Second phase: multi-edition high-fidelity simulation training with critical scenario management and debriefing.
• Competency assessed via pre- and post-training tests; program satisfaction surveyed.

Main Results:

• 28 participants (87.5%) completed the program.
• Significant improvement in ECMO staff skills, with median test scores rising from 7.5/18 to 14/18 (P < 0.001).
• High-fidelity simulation significantly boosted self-confidence (100%), theoretical knowledge (61.5%), and teamwork/communication skills (58%).

Conclusions:

• The multistep ECMO training program effectively enhanced staff knowledge, technical skills, teamwork, and self-confidence.
• This training facilitated the successful establishment of a neonatal respiratory ECMO program.
• While conventional training supported initial development, active learning via simulation proved more beneficial for mastering ECMO complexities and team performance.