Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of life support used when conventional management with mechanical ventilation is failing. Depending on the type of ECMO support utilised, it can provide temporary lung support in neonates and children with respiratory failure (usually veno-venous access) and cardiac support (veno-arterial access) particularly around the time of corrective cardiac surgery. Unlike cardio-pulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery, ECMO support is usually provided for a number of days or even weeks. It is essential that this intense and relatively complex form of life support is free from potentially avoidable adverse incidents. We have developed a course for training in critical incident management during an ECMO ‘run’ using clinical event scenarios and based on a high-fidelity patient simulator. We present the development process and our initial thoughts about its use.