Cannulation Navigation: Accreditation-Informed Process Redesign to Improve ECMO Transportation Efficiency

Patients requiring emergency extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support at UNC Health Rex-54% of whom presented with myocardial infarction-faced prolonged and inconsistent transfer times to the UNC Medical Center.

A lack of standardized workflow contributed to variable response times, ambiguity around transportation responsibilities, and inefficiencies that could not meet the urgency required for ECMO candidates.

This project used registry data to identify gaps, convened a multidisciplinary team to set goals, streamlined communication, revised protocols, optimized workflows, and targeted education to improve early recognition, coordination, and transfer efficiency for ECMO patients.

Despite challenges with aligning multiple specialties, changing long-standing habits, and coordinating resources across campuses, the team significantly reduced transfer times and created a sustainable model that strengthened systemwide care for critically ill ECMO patients.