ID:34 FC-PC2-8 The Role of Clinical Engineers in ECMO Transport at Our Institution

Background: Our institution operates a dedicated ECMO transport system using a specialized ECMO car, staffed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, clinical engineers (CEs), and nurses. During patient transport, survival depends on medical devices including the ECMO system. As specialists in medical equipment management, CEs play a critical role in ensuring patient safety. This report describes the roles and activities of CEs in ECMO transport. Activities: Because many ECMO transports at our institution involve transfers from non-affiliated hospitals, site visits are conducted when sufficient time is available prior to transport. During these visits, CEs accompany the team to the referring hospital to assess patient condition, review medications, confirm shared equipment, and evaluate transport routes from the patient’s room to the ECMO car. In primary transport, in which ECMO is initiated by our team at the referring hospital, CEs collaborate with physicians to plan ECMO initiation based on limited information. To prepare for unpredictable situations, multiple types and sizes of cannulas are prepared in advance. In secondary transport, involving patients already supported by ECMO, CEs maintain close communication with the referring hospital to collect patient and device information, including ECMO system specifications. Equipment compatibility is assessed prior to transport. When feasible, the ECMO console is exchanged for our institutional system. If compatibility is insufficient and device return is required, circuit replacement is carefully considered. Two CEs board the ECMO car for each transport. During transport, while intensivists focus on patient management, CEs monitor ECMO function, manage power supplies, and operate onboard equipment, contributing to patient safety. Conclusion: In the transport setting, where life support depends on medical devices including ECMO, clinical engineers play a vital role in ensuring safe and reliable ECMO transport. Continued multidisciplinary collaboration is essential, and CEs should remain actively involved in advancing ECMO transport systems.