Addressing the need for advanced life support 

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), which includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), is one of the most advanced forms of life-sustaining therapy available in modern medicine. Used in cases of severe cardiac or respiratory failure, ECLS can mean the difference between life and death for patients who have exhausted conventional treatments.  

However, ECLS is not without its challenges: 

• It requires a 24/7 multidisciplinary team, including intensivists, perfusionists, surgeons, nurses, and respiratory therapists. 
• Clinical protocols must be precisely designed and faithfully executed. 
• Complications such as bleeding, thrombosis, and infection must be rapidly identified and expertly managed. 
• Each patient’s course is highly individualized, demanding consistent coordination and vigilance. 

As demand and use of ECLS expands, especially in a global health crisis, in paediatric ICUs, and for transplant bridging, the need to ensure quality, safety, and programmatic accountability is more urgent than ever. 

What is the ECLS certification? 

DNV’s Extracorporeal Life Support Certification provides a rigorous, independent validation that your hospital delivers high-quality ECLS care aligned with national and international standards. 

This certification helps: 

• Establish and enforce evidence-based clinical pathways. 
• Ensure your teams are trained, aligned, and confident in their roles. 
• Monitor performance using meaningful metrics. 
• Demonstrate excellence to peers, patients, and regulatory bodies. 

The certification process includes a comprehensive survey by DNV clinical surveyors with specific ECLS experience. The surveyors assess all aspects of your ECLS program, including:  

• Governance and leadership. 
• Protocol development and clinical pathway execution. 
• Patient selection criteria and contraindications. 
• Equipment and technology use. 
• Team training and simulation exercises. 
• Real-time decision-making and complication management. 
• Emergency procedures and escalation plans. 
• Quality improvement and outcome tracking.  

ECLS certification applies to both adult and paediatric programs and supports facilities delivering care across cardiac, respiratory, and combined indications.