Interprofessional ECMO telerounding: a novel approach to neonatal ECMO clinical participation and education

Objective: Determine the feasibility, strengths, and barriers of offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) telerounding to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care providers. Study design: NICU providers were invited to join ECMO rounds by teleconference. Data were collected on telerounding participation and ECMO concepts discussed. A survey was sent to all providers. Results: From March 2018 to February 2020, telerounding on 24 neonatal ECMO patients (168 ECMO days) was performed in a Level IV NICU. A mean of four providers joined telerounds per ECMO day with an increase from 3 to 6 providers over the study period. Nearly all respondents felt telerounding lowered barriers to attending ECMO rounds (94%), promoted engagement (89%), and improved continuity of care (78%). Barriers to ECMO telerounding were suboptimal audio connections and limited ability to participate in the clinical discussion. Conclusion: ECMO telerounding is well-received by NICU providers. It can improve provider participation, complement existing in-person ECMO rounds, and ECMO education.