115 - Multidisciplinary Training in Pediatric ECMO: Evaluating Basic and Advanced Boot Camps for Enhancing Knowledge and Confidence
Friday, April 25, 2025
5:30pm – 7:45pm HST
Publication Number: 115.5999
Kelsey A.. Montgomery, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Kamal Abulebda, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Kellie Pearson, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; LIz Wetzel, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Carmel, IN, United States; Brian Gray, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Lauren Castaneda, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Background: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) management in pediatric patients presents unique challenges in acute care settings. Prior residency training often lacks sufficient ECMO exposure for medical and surgical fellows. To address this gap, we developed and evaluated two ECMO Boot Camps—one basic and one advanced—designed to enhance fellows’ knowledge, comfort, and confidence in managing pediatric ECMO. Objective: To address this gap, we developed and evaluated two ECMO Boot Camps—one basic and one advanced—designed to enhance fellows’ knowledge, comfort, and confidence in managing pediatric ECMO. Design/Methods: The basic ECMO Boot Camp, conducted annually from 2021 to 2023, featured a 5-hour curriculum including didactic presentations, hands-on circuit demonstrations, and interactive activity stations (high-fidelity simulation, guided worksheets, and tabletop puzzles). Participants underwent pre- and post-tests to assess knowledge acquisition and completed a post-boot camp survey evaluating confidence and feedback. The advanced ECMO Boot Camp utilized a multimodal blended approach, incorporating baseline assessments, didactic education, simulated scenarios, and interactive case reviews. Feedback was collected via pre- and post-course questionnaires using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: In total, 49 participants (including 18 critical care, 4 cardiology, 11 pediatric surgery, 12 cardiothoracic surgery, and 4 pediatric emergency medicine fellows) completed the basic boot camp. Pre- and post-test results indicated significant improvement in knowledge of ECMO circuit components and pressures (56.5% vs. 75.5%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 100% of participants agreed (86% strongly agreed) that the boot camp increased their confidence in troubleshooting ECMO emergencies. For the advanced boot camp, 9 participants reported increased confidence in managing poor flow (25% to 66%), recognition of recirculation (12.5% to 77%), and recognition of oxygenator failure (25% to 100%).
Conclusion(s): Both ECMO Boot Camps demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness in training new fellows. The programs not only improved fellows' knowledge but also significantly enhanced their confidence in managing ECMO-related challenges. The inclusion of multidisciplinary participants enriched the learning experience, fostering diverse perspectives. Limitations include the small sample size and reliance on self-reported measures, suggesting the need for future evaluations that incorporate behavior change and patient outcomes.
