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Saint Francis Hospital ECMO Program Receives Recognition for Excellence

January 13, 2025

HARTFORD, Conn. - Saint Francis Hospital is proud to announce its extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program has been named by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) as a Silver Level Center on the Path to Excellence in Life Support. The Excellence in Life Support Award recognizes centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction, and ongoing clinical care.

Saint Francis Hospital's ECMO program has been recognized by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) as a Silver Level Center on the Path to Excellence in Life Support.

“We are honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award highlighting the quality, life-saving care we are able to provide our patients,” said Robert Gallagher, M.D., Chief of Cardiac Surgery for Trinity Health Of New England, who began the ECMO program at Saint Francis in September 2020. “Being recognized by ELSO exemplifies the excellent care we are able to provide to those in the gravest of health emergencies, and reflects the dedication and passion of our care teams.”

ECMO is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients experiencing acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system. ECMO allows time for the patient’s lungs and/or heart to heal over a period of time by using a heart-lung machine to oxygenate the blood outside the body. A patient may need ECMO if they have experienced cardiac arrest, heart or lung failure, or severe trauma or infection.

An ECMO center designated by ELSO demonstrates extraordinary achievement in three categories:

  • Excellence in promoting the mission, activities, and vision of ELSO.

  • Excellence in patient care by using the highest quality measures, processes, and structures based upon evidence.

  • Excellence in training, education, collaboration, and communication supporting ELSO guidelines that contributes to a healing environment for patients, families, and staff.

 

The ELSO Awards’ goal is to recognize and honor programs which reach the highest level of performance, innovation, satisfaction, and quality. The Award is a framework for integrating total quality principles in ECMO programs worldwide and assures the program is producing exceptional results.