Air Medical Transport of Patients Diagnosed with Confirmed COVID-19 Infection Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). A Case Review and Lessons Learned

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery in every respect, including critical care resources and transport of patients requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). Innovative solutions allowing for safe helicopter air transport of these critical patients is needed as ECMO resources are only available in specialty centers. We present a case demonstrating the interfacility collaboration of care for a patient with COVID-19 infection and the lessons learned from the air transport. Careful planning, coordination, communication, and teamwork contributed to the safe transport of this patient, and several others subsequently.