Interprofessional ECMO telerounding: a novel approach to neonatal ECMO clinical participation and education

Determine the feasibility, strengths, and barriers of offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) telerounding to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care providers.

NICU providers were invited to join ECMO rounds by teleconference. Data were collected on telerounding participation and ECMO concepts discussed. A survey was sent to all providers.

From March 2018 to February 2020, telerounding on 24 neonatal ECMO patients (168 ECMO days) was performed in a Level IV NICU. A mean of four providers joined telerounds per ECMO day with an increase from 3 to 6 providers over the study period. Nearly all respondents felt telerounding lowered barriers to attending ECMO rounds (94%), promoted engagement (89%), and improved continuity of care (78%). Barriers to ECMO telerounding were suboptimal audio connections and limited ability to participate in the clinical discussion.

ECMO telerounding is well-received by NICU providers. It can improve provider participation, complement existing in-person ECMO rounds, and ECMO education.