A Simulation Curriculum for Ground and Air ECMO Transport.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Medical Simulation
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use for cardiopulmonary failure is rising, necessitating specialized transport teams.
• Expanding patient access to ECMO requires efficient and safe transport capabilities.
• Developing standardized training for ECMO transport teams is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a simulation-based curriculum for an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) transport team.
• To assess the impact of the simulation curriculum on team confidence and competence in ECMO transport procedures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Kern's model to develop the curriculum and ECMO transport protocol.
• Conducted a needs assessment survey (Likert scale) to evaluate presimulation confidence.
• Developed a simulation script covering logistics, loading/unloading, and emergency management.
• Implemented a pilot simulation using a mannequin with an ECMO circuit for hands-on training.

Main Results:

• Needs assessment showed 95% of respondents were novices, with low initial confidence (mean 3.4) in ECMO transport.
• Post-simulation confidence scores significantly improved overall (3.0 to 4.3).
• Specific improvements noted in emergency procedure confidence: air entrainment (3.0 to 4.6), pump failure (3.3 to 4.6), patient handling (2.8 to 4.1), and protocol use (3.5 to 4.8).

Conclusions:

• A simulation-based curriculum was successfully developed and implemented for an ECMO transport team.
• The curriculum effectively enhanced team members' confidence across various critical aspects of ECMO transport.
• Simulation training is a valuable tool for improving ECMO transport team readiness and patient care.