Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Mouse
Published on: October 24, 2018
ECMO specialist' challenges towards acquired infections during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: An international
Ali Ait Hssain1, Fatemeh Bahramnezhad2, Amir Vahedian-Azimi3
1Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Science, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
Background:
Despite the life-saving potential of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), it is not without significant challenges, particularly those associated with acquired infections during treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges that ECMO specialists faced regarding acquired infections by ECMO patients.
Methods:
This qualitative study involved 19 ECMO specialists from around the world, representing key disciplines in ECMO care-including critical care physicians, ECMO nurses, respiratory therapists, microbiologists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and perfusionists. All participants had at least five years of dedicated ECMO experience. Purposive sampling was conducted between August and December 2024. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions and analyzed using conventional content analysis.
Results:
Data analysis revealed two principal themes regarding acquired infections in ECMO patients. The first theme, perceived challenges, encompassed the unique nature of ECMO-including its novel science, diverse cannulas and catheters, and varied equipment-alongside a lack of consensus on infection indicators, such as non-specific laboratory tests, absence of a unified infection definition, and scarce clinical signs. Additional challenges involved reliance on clinical experience over robust evidence, limited international guidelines, and patient-specific factors. The second theme focused on infection management strategies, emphasizing patient-centered care, family involvement, promotion of evidence via scientific meetings and prospective studies, prevention through adherence to aseptic principles, and strengthening multidisciplinary teamwork.
Conclusion:
The challenges of acquired infections are one of the most important problems of patients undergoing ECMO, and of course, the approaches to its prevention are evolving.
Implication For Clinical Practice:
The findings show that acquired infections in ECMO patients are a serious challenge requiring patient-centered and team-based care. Clearer clinical guidelines are needed for infection detection and prevention. Focusing on prevention, continuous education, and enhancing teamwork can improve treatment outcomes. Strengthening scientific evidence is also essential for clinical decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:30Administering Oxygen by Mask
Administering oxygen by mask is a common nursing intervention that provides supplemental oxygen to patients with respiratory distress or chronic lung conditions. This procedure involves delivering oxygen at a specified rate through a face mask connected to an oxygen source.
Equipment
The equipment necessary for this procedure includes:
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.