Foundations of a life support equipment exchange platform

Abstract

The ELSO Supplies Platform (Supplies.ELSO.org) was created out of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) disposable product deficiency prior to and during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This novel Platform supports Centers in obtaining disposables when alternative avenues are exhausted. Driven by the opportunity for increased patient care by using the product availability of the 962 ELSO centers worldwide was the motivation to form an efficient online supply sharing platform. The pandemic created by COVID-19, became a catalyst to further recognize the magnitude of the supply disruption on a global scale, impacting allocations and guidelines for institutions, practice, and patient care. Records kept on the platform website are helpful to industry by providing insights where difficulties exist in the supply chain for needed equipment. Yet, the common thread is awareness, how critical situations can stretch resources and challenge our resolve for best patient care. ELSO is proud to support member centers in these situations, by providing a means of attaining needed ECMO life support products to cover supply deficiencies.

A brand-new era has begun for JECT

“…The survey also identifies opportunities for improving the adoption of best practice guidelines published by various groups recently. On the other side of the country, Sleasman, et al [ 2 ] describe a pilot program to test a novel online ECMO supply sharing platform hosted by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Nine regional centers successfully participated in an effort to alleviate supply shortages amongst themselves.…”