LUMC deploys mobile heart-lung machine for the first time
LUMC has taken an important step in acute care with the first on-site deployment of a mobile heart-lung machine (ECMO). Thanks to this innovative technology, patients with life-threatening heart or lung failure can now be stabilised outside the hospital. The successful application marks a first for LUMC and opens the door to faster, more effective care in acute emergencies.
Specialist team journeys out with ECMO unit
The deployment of the mobile heart-lung machine requires a well-trained and rapidly deployable team. At LUMC's first, a specialist team of doctors, perfusionists and intensivists was immediately called in to act on the spot. This working method makes it possible to bring complex care to the patient exactly when every minute counts.
Mobile ECMO: technology on wheels
The mobile heart-lung machine, also known as ECMO, is specially adapted for use outside the hospital. The compact and mobile system temporarily provides the functions of the heart and lungs, and can be safely deployed in, for example, an ambulance or on site. This technological innovation enables intensive care on the move, without compromising on quality or safety.
Looking ahead: towards a national commitment
With this first, LUMC sets a possible standard for the future of acute care in the Netherlands. The experiences from this first deployment form the basis for further development and cooperation with other hospitals and ambulance services. The aim: to make mobile ECMO more widely deployable and thus make life-saving care more accessible, where and when it is needed.
