Parental Perception of Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

The increasing acceptance of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a means of supporting neonates with respiratory failure has established this form of cardiopulmonary bypass as an important technology in pediatrics. Although the majority of ECMO graduates survive without major neurological or pulmonary damage, there is a paucity of data regarding family outcomes. The possibility of the child's death combined with the complexity of the procedure can engender high levels of stress for parents. We explored parents' perceptions about their baby's ECMO procedures. Qualitative analysis was used to reduce interview data into major categories with related themes. Results are presented across the psychological dimensions of parental perceptions and include implications for clinical practice.