title: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation credentialing: where do we stand?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No guidelines exist for credentialing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) physicians despite variable training backgrounds. We aim to identify national patterns of institutional credentialing for ECMO physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Program directors from 173 US ECMO centers were surveyed regarding credentialing, recertification, training elements, and barriers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rate was 42% (73/173). ECMO credentialing for physicians was required in 66% of responding ECMO centers. Only 57% reported an established institutional ECMO credentialing program. Yearly recertification was required in 16%. Common elements included didactic courses (90%), simulation (73%), and proctored cases (68%). Lack of standardization for credentialing (36%) and too little time (36%) were major barriers to program establishment. No differences were found between small- and large-volume centers with respect to credentialing or recertification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Not all physicians managing ECMO are credentialed and only about half of US centers have established credentialing programs. Standardization of ECMO credentialing may increase training rates and improve variability in credentialing practices across the United States.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Electronic address: clark626@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Sydne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muratore
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beilman
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Ranjit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunsvold
mesh_terms: D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003406:Credentialing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D000066908:Simulation Training; D014481:United States
keywords: Credentialing; Extracorporeal life support; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Guidelines; Standardization