Abstract
Regionalization/centralization to tertiary care centre allows treatment of severe critically ill patients with full technology, staff and expertise resources but requires interhospital transportation of unstable severely ill patients. When patients already connected to ECMO systems or requiring ECMO assistance need transportation, special concerns ensue due to the high risk for adverse events (severity of illness, risk for technical failure during transportation). Transportation must be performed by a specialized skilled multidisciplinary team composed at least of two ECMO physicians, an ECMO specialist and a nurse. Ambulance ground, as compared to air transportation, may be considered when geographically advantageous, when weather does not allow flight transportation and for short distances. Enlarged fuel, electrical and oxygen supplies must be provided, and ECMO system must be protected against shocks, vibrations and sudden decelerations.
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Isgrò, S., Rona, R., Patroniti, N. (2014). Ground Transport: Ambulance. In: Sangalli, F., Patroniti, N., Pesenti, A. (eds) ECMO-Extracorporeal Life Support in Adults. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5427-1_39
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5427-1_39
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