BC Children’s Hospital is currently the only pediatric centre in Canada with platinum designation. The ECLS team received the award at the 33rd annual ELSO conference in Boston, USA.
The ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support 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.
ELSO is an international non-profit association of health care centers and individuals who are dedicated to the development, evaluation and improvement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and other innovative therapies for support of failing organ systems in the neonate, child, and adult.
Receiving the award demonstrates BCCH’s commitment to exceptional patient care, as well as high quality and safety standards, specialized equipment and supplies, and enhanced staff education.
The multidisciplinary ECLS team at BCCH includes staff from the intensive care unit including nursing and respiratory therapy, cardiothoracic and general surgery, cardiology, anaesthesiology, perfusion, respiratory medicine, neonatology, transfusion medicine and other laboratory services. The team’s commitment to excellence and improvement has allowed the program to excel in patient outcomes, research, innovation, and education – all contributing factors that helped BCCH secure the ELSO Award for Excellence and platinum level designation.
The Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) program at BCCH manages the care of infants, children and youth who are experiencing multi-system failure. The program and team use advanced and invasive life support equipment when conventional medical therapy is unsuccessful in stabilizing patients.
“This has been a journey of transformation and innovation; fostering growth with a priority to multidisciplinary collaboration building a highly functional program that is supported by exceptional team members.” – Renee Mintak, Team Leader/ECLS Program Coordinator at BC Children’s Hospital.
“Congratulations to the entire team on this outstanding recognition,” says Dr. Jana Davidson, chief medical officer, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. “It’s truly an accomplishment that reflects the dedication to providing patient and family-centered care that we continuously strive to achieve.”