Development of an Electronic Medical Record for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Its Role in a...

As the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program at our institution has grown and our staffing model has evolved into a multidisciplinary team, our method of ECMO charting has also evolved, using an electronic medical record (EMR) with electronic checklists, progress notes, and remote access. Using our EPIC charting platform, version 1 of our EMR was implemented in 2015. It has been revised three times, and remote access deemed necessary to properly support our staff and patients. Our current, yet still evolving, remotely accessible, ECMO EMR incorporates hourly charting and protocol-based checklists for procedures such as initiation of support, shift handoffs, circuit checks, and patient transport. Perfusionists are required to fill out thrice daily progress notes, notes for bedside/operating room procedures, and patient transport. We present a format for centers looking to implement a comprehensive EMR for ECMO patients. An expanding ECMO program required a change to our staffing model, and an EMR with electronic checklists and remote access facilitated the transition to a multidisciplinary team. Protocol-based checklists ensure consistency during procedures, transports, and shift changes. The remote access and required progress notes create a safer team approach and keep our perfusionists engaged when specialists are sitting ECMO.