October 26, 2001

 

The Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board has adopted the following position statement regarding Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO):

With proper training verified by the medical institution and practicing under a physician's orders and/or supervision, licensed respiratory care practitioners in Oregon may practice as an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialist. 

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) endorses the use of qualified and appropriately educated Respiratory Therapists as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialists.

ECMO is a modified cardiopulmonary bypass technique used for the treatment of life threatening cardiac or respiratory failure applied for periods of greater than eight hours outside the operating room environment. An ECMO Specialist is the technical specialist educated to manage the ECMO system (blood pump, tubing, artificial oxygenator, and related equipment) and the clinical needs of the patient on ECMO (such as maintenance of normal acid-base balance, oxygenation, ventilation, and anticoagulation) under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician. 
The AARC believes that the Respiratory Therapist's education provides extensive training in maintenance of normal acid-base balance; oxygenation and oxygen delivery; ventilation; and cardiorespiratory anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. These fundamentals of Respiratory Care education make the Respiratory Therapist qualified to undertake further education to become an ECMO Specialist. Education as an ECMO Specialist should be in accordance with the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization's (ELSO) document entitled "Guidelines for Training and Continuing Education of ECMO Specialists."

It is the position of the Board that ORS 688.800 (4) and (6) permit licensed respiratory care practitioners to provide such services in Oregon.