Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used to support patients with 
cardiopulmonary failure in the intensive care unit. The purpose of this study is 
to determine what professional qualifications, equipment, and tests are used by 
established ECMO programs registered with the Extracorporeal Life Support 
Organization (ELSO). A survey link (Survey-Monkey) was e-mailed to the 110 
registered ELSO program coordinators. Forty-nine responses were received. A test 
of binomial portions showed that nurses were more likely to be ECMO providers 
than respiratory therapists or perfusionists (p < .05). A chi2 test identified a 
difference in the type of pump (roller or centrifugal) based on patient age (p < 
.005). The most common monitoring/safety devices were battery back-up (84%), 
pre- and post-oxygenator pressure (82%), mixed venous oxygen saturation 
(80%),venous line pressure (76%), blood flowmeter (63%),bubble detector (61%), 
point-of-care blood gases (59%), and in-line blood gas monitoring (47%). 
Laboratory tests available included d-dimer (65%), plasma-free hemoglobin (63%), 
anti-Xa plasma heparin concentration (43%), thromboelastograph (37%), and 
heparin concentration using protamine titration (35%). This survey of 
ELSO-registered centers represents an overview of current ECMO practices.