SpecialtyCare attended AMSECT 2023 from March 22-24, 2023, in Orlando, FL, to engage in the latest conversations about pediatric and adult perfusion, skills and safety standards, ECMO, and more. We’re dedicated to providing the best possible care in ECMO and perfusion around the country, which is one of the reasons why we’re trusted by 1,100+ hospitals across our service lines.
The Use of ECMO Is Increasing
Today, ECMO and perfusion are in the spotlight when it comes to safer surgery and crisis treatment. The use of ECMO has been increasing exponentially; in fact, the database maintained by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ESLO) shows that nearly half of all ECMO cases recorded have occurred in the last 5 years. ECMO has proven to be a lifeline during heart and lung crisis situations as cardiac and respiratory diseases remain prevalent in the US and worldwide. Here are the facts:
- Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the US, responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- Additionally, 1 in 13 people in the US has asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. For life-threatening asthma attacks, ECMO can provide a chance for the lungs to recover — as it did for this 19-year old patient in Florida.
- And while COVID-19 remains a debilitating respiratory disease around the world, it’s far from the only contributor to lung problems and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for over 3 million deaths in 2019. It is also the seventh leading cause of poor health, with 251 million cases reported globally in 2016.
As ECMO use increases, so does the need for specialized training. A study on over 50,000 ECMO patients over 30 years revealed that hospitals with higher case volume had “significantly lower odds of mortality” than those with a lower case volume. This indicates that experience and familiarity with best practices is absolutely critical to improving outcomes with ECMO.
Perfusion Excellence and ECMO Training
SpecialtyCare is the largest provider of perfusion in the US — over 400 hospitals already trust us to provide their perfusion services. In fact, we support 1 in 8 cardiac surgeries every year. When it comes to ECMO, we place ECMO specialists at hospitals in addition to providing ECMO program management. So whether you’re developing a program, revamping a program, or need an assessment, we can help.
We also provide hybrid online and on-site ECMO training for hospital staff and those who want to build a career as an ECMO specialist. Our online ECMO training platform was designed by a team of ECMO industry experts with over 100 years of combined experience.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you stay on the cutting edge and meet the needs of patients through ECMO and perfusion!