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

BACKGROUND

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.

PROJECT RATIONALE: 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.

PROJECT SUMMARY: 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.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: 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.