Thirty-two doctors and nurses from across Australia participated in the inaugural ECMO training course held 20 – 23 April 2021.
An ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, is similar to a life support machine that supports the function of the heart and lungs for a few hours, days or in some cases weeks, for patients who are typically cared for in a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).
After postponing the event for 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TPCH’s ICU director Dr Jayshree Lavana and team, with assistance from the Medical Education unit, were able to deliver their long-awaited four-day training course.
“The course had a predominantly hands-on program with a representative from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation (ELSO) in attendance to ensure the program’s contents met their rigorous standards,” Dr Lavana said.
“Over the four days, the program included didactic lectures, equipment training that included circuit priming drills, cannulation and case-based interactive physiology simulation.
“We are now one of a few centres around the world that can provide this ELSO endorsed training and augments our standing as one of the leading hearts and lung recovery unit’s world-wide.”
Already a well-regarded hospital for heart and lung treatment in the country, Dr Lavana is excited that TPCH will be able to contribute towards improving rates of positive patient outcomes by being able to provide a world-class ECMO training platform.
“The course provides great opportunities for clinicians who are wanting to gain knowledge and skills in ECMO management and therefore help improve patient outcomes,” Dr Lavana said.
“It is used for the treatment of our most critically ill patients with cardiac and/or respiratory failure, who have not responded to maximal conventional therapy.
“This treatment option is potentially life-saving for some of these patients as the ECMO device supports the organs whilst their own heart and/or lungs recover.”
If you missed out this year, the TPCH ECMO course will be held annually with the next scheduled for March 2022.
If you would like more information or are interested in the course contact Dr Lavana at Jayshree.Lavana@health.qld.gov.au.