Please review the ELSO Award Application Instructions and the ELSO Award of
Excellence Committee Policies and Procedures.
For inquiries, please contact the ELSO Center of Excellence Committee at:
award@elso.org
Which Award should I apply for?
ELSO Centers that wish to set themselves apart by being recognized as a program that has
documented the use of the ELSO guidelines in creating their program, but do not yet have 5 years of
experience with ECMO patients, average of 5 or more patients/year, or 3 years of membership in ELSO,
should apply for the “Path to Excellence “ Award. This Silver Level ELSO Award is
recognition for ECLS Programs that are based on established ELSO Guidelines. These programs are on the
Path to Excellence but have not yet demonstrated the extraordinary achievement in all categories as
required for the Center of Excellence Designation. These programs desire recognition for their adherence
to the ELSO Guidelines in providing ECLS patient care and are working towards the requirements for
designation as a Center of Excellence. An ECLS program must meet or exceed criteria in the following
categories:
• Systems Focus
• Environmental Focus
• Workforce Focus
• Knowledge Management
The Center of Excellence in Life Support Award will be designated amongst the applications
that are established and have the experience or volume. A minimum score must be achieved on the
Excellence in Life Support application to be designated as a Center of Excellence. The minimum score is
determined by statistical evaluation of all application scores, using a standardized Award Scoring Tool.
Historically, some centers achieve significantly higher scores than others even within those designated
as Centers of Excellence.
Centers who achieve the minimum passing score but less than the highest level will be
recognized with the Gold Level Award for Excellence in Life Support. Those centers that achieve the
highest scores will be recognized with the Platinum Level Award for Excellence in Life Support. These
ECLS programs must meet or exceed criteria in the following categories:
• Systems Focus
• Environmental Focus
• Workforce Focus
• Knowledge Management
• Quality Focus
• Process Optimization
• Family Focus
Who can apply for the Award?
ECMO Programs may apply for the Path to Excellence Award (Silver) if they are a member of ELSO
and have established that they are on the Path to Excellence. Using the Center Evaluation and
Improvement Tool will help in this endeavor.
ECMO Programs may apply for the Center of Excellence Award (Gold or Platinum) designation once
they have been a member of ELSO for 3 years and have been providing ECMO therapy for 5 years. The ECMO
program must have supported an average of 5 or more patients per year over the last 5 years. All ECMO
patients from the applying institution MUST be entered into the ELSO Registry.
What does the Application process entail?
The application consists of 38 questions, some with multiple sub questions, organized into 7
categories. The application process is impartial, and the application is blinded to assure anonymity.
The application must be completely
de-identified – No staff names, no hospital names, states or countries, or individual
program names should be used. “X” may be used in place of any identifier. Refer to the
Application Instructions for specific directions regarding completion of the application.
What documentation should be attached?
Five specific supportive documents must be attached with the completed
application:
• Overall course outline or plan for Basic ECMO Course
• Initial water drill checklist or simulation scenario
• Recent continuing education simulation scenario
• Orientation competency check-off documentation for ECMO Specialist
• Recent example of annual competency evaluation tool
All documents must be in PDF form
to
upload. The redaction tool in Adobe Acrobat may be used
for PDFs
that are in need of de-identification.
Additional documents may be included for some questions. All documents, figures, tables,
charts, graphs,
and photos that relate to that question must be in a single PDF file and attached to that question as an
upload. Please reference the attachment within the answer (i.e., fig. 1). Figures, etc. may not be
embedded within the answer field.
Videos are optional and will NOT impact your score and CANNOT be used in lieu of answers to
questions. If
you have a video, please include a link in your PDF.
Not all questions have an upload icon available. Not every question requires an attachment.
How do I know if my program is ready to apply?
ECMO programs can evaluate their readiness for the award process by downloading the ELSO Award
Path to Readiness Tool or the ELSO Award Center Evaluation Improvement Tool. These tools will help you
decide if your program is meeting ELSO criteria and is ready to apply - or how to improve your existing
program
When should I apply?
The Application Award cycle begins October 15th and closes March 1st at 23:59 EST.
The Award Evaluation and Improvement Tool and the Application Worksheet are available October
15th for the current Award cycle. Online Application form for submission is available January 1st.
Applications submitted outside of these time periods will not be considered.
What if I want to apply for a higher designation before my current Award expires?
A center may apply at any time during the 3 year award designation period. A Path to
Excellence Center may meet criteria for the Center of Excellence Award and decide to apply before
their Path designation expires.
What are the fees associated with applying?
Center of Excellence (Gold or Platinum)
• $3,500 fee USD
• Valid for a 3 year Award Period
Or
Center on the Path to Excellence (Silver)
• $2,000 fee USD
• Valid for a 3 year Award Period
How do I pay the Application fee?
The fee may be paid by check or credit card. Please refer to the Payment Section for details
Does the fee need to accompany my Application?
Application fees must be received in full by the Application submission deadline, March 1st,
for the Application to be accepted. Individual accommodations may be made by contacting ELSO
How long is the Award designation? Does my Award Expire?
The Center of Excellence in Life Support and the Center on the Path to Excellence designations
covers a 3 year period which begins January 1st and ends December 31st.
What happens after the Application is submitted?
The center contact will Validate and Submit the application and will receive a notice that is
was accepted. It is submitted electronically and received by ELSO. After the application is verified, it
is assigned to a panel of expert reviewers trained in the award criteria. Anonymity and confidentiality
of the application is maintained throughout the application and review process. ECMO program contacts
listed in the application will be notified of their application results by July 15 th
What if my Application is not approved and I do not receive the Award?
Your center must meet a wide variety of criteria in order to receive the ELSO Award for
Excellence in Life Support. The panel of reviewers scores each application. If an application scores
insufficiently, the application is denied. The Center will be notified by the Committee. Applications
that do not meet criteria will not be allowed to revise and resubmit within the same Award cycle. The
decisions of the Committee are final.
What if I want to appeal the Reviewer’s decision?
The Committee scoring process is such that any application that does not achieve minimum score
is automatically reviewed by additional reviewers and the decisions are final. Please see ELSO COE Policy and
Procedures.
How do I achieve Platinum?
Centers do not apply for Platinum designation; they apply for the Award of Excellence in Life
Support. Centers that achieve the highest scores will be recognized with the Platinum Level designation.
• Having a comprehensive quality program
• Maintain and continuously improve upon existing processes
• Complete the application thoroughly and describe processes and policies in detail
• Review and learn from previous application scores, and determine areas of weakness by
comparing your scores in categories with other centers
• Use the ELSO Award Center Evaluation and Improvement Tool
How is the Application scored?
Each Application is blinded by ELSO administration. The Committee does not know center
identity at the time of review. Each center has the responsibility to ensure that their application is
de-identified. The Center of Excellence Committee is multi-disciplinary and has years of extracorporeal
life support experience. Every reviewer completes a training session to learn to review applications.
Interrater reliability is measured yearly, to ensure standardized evaluation of every application. A
standardized scoring rubric is used for each application question and total points are compiled. A
minimum score is required to receive the Center of Excellence in Life Support Award.
How do I interpret my scores?
How long does it take to complete the Application?
The application is a lengthy one. The application process may take several months and highest
performing centers begin planning several years in advance. It is recommended that centers involve
members of their institution Quality department and leadership teams in the application process.
Why can’t I have access to the Scoring Tool?
The Scoring Tool is proprietary information and publication could bias center answers.
How long should I wait to apply for the Award of Excellence after achieving the Path to
Excellence?
You must meet the application criteria as listed for the Award of Excellence. Once you meet
these criteria you may apply during any Award application period.
What if I haven’t been a dues paying Center for three years?
You must be a member of ELSO and current on your dues for three years. Dues may be paid in
arrears. Center of Excellence designation will be automatically forfeited if ELSO dues are delinquent
during the designated Award period.
What if my patient numbers have fallen off during the past two years?
If your Centers’ average patient numbers for five years equal 5 or more, you are still
eligible to apply.
What if I missed the deadline for the Award Application?
Late applications may be considered on a case by case basis. A significant late fee will be
imposed
What if my patient numbers do not match what ELSO has?
The Application process includes a verification of patients submitted into the ELSO Registry
and compares those numbers to the Application. Discrepancies must be reconciled. Please assure that your
patient submissions are up to date when you submit.
What if we do not have a Coordinator right now? May I still submit an Application?
Yes, as long as the Center has staff that is fulfilling the job duties associated with the
Coordinator, describe that person. It may be the Medical Director or other team member completing these
duties.
What does a Site Visit entail?
All centers consent for a site visit by submitting the Award Application. Any center refusing
the site visit will be ineligible for Center of Excellence designation.
A percentage of applying Centers will receive a site visit for the purpose of validating the
application.
Reviewers will not evaluate outcomes or any patient specific data. Scores are subject to revision upon
findings from the site visit.
Site visits will be conducted by teams of 2 COE committee members. Site visits will be
conducted between
April 1st and June 30th based on dates selected on the Application. Centers
selected will be
notified
approximately two weeks prior to the visit with specific instructions
I’m having trouble with cutting, pasting or uploading within the online application –
What do I do?
Most challenges related to these issues are due in part to the individual Center’s data
security or firewall. Please contact your Centers IT department for support.
How do I download my current or past applications?
You will not be able to download your current application until after the application cycle
has been closed and you have been notified of your Award status. Previous applications will be
available. Please refer to the Award website under ‘Application’.
After I have submitted the application - How do I change my hospital name? How do I
change the primary contact or medical director?