For additional inquiries, please contact
CenterCertification@ELSO.org
What is the ELSO ECLS Center Certification?
ELSO’s ECLS Center Certification program establishes a standard of training, practice, and study for all institutions aiming to provide safe and accessible ECLS care. It is designed to recognize high-quality practice,
policy, and program development in Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) care. ECLS care includes Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal (ECCO2R), Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (ECPR), Extracorporeal Interval Support for Organ Retrieval (EISOR), and other forms of life support that utilize an artificial organ to support the patient.
Who should apply to the ELSO ECLS Center Certification?
Any ELSO center member should consider applying to the ELSO ECLS Center Certification. This program is open to all institutions regardless of patient, acuity, resource level, or country of
practice. The Certification process has been designed to be applicable globally with consideration of all resources available in the applicant’s region.
Does my institution need to be a member of ELSO to be Certified?
Why would I want to be certified by ELSO?
ELSO’s Center Certification program is the first global certification program designed by ECLS experts for the ECLS community. It is intentionally inclusive of all ECLS centers regardless of patient, acuity, resource
level, or country of practice. ELSO’s Center Certification is more than just a stamp of approval; our Center Certification report includes areas of strength, improvement, and commentary from the review team that is intended
to help your program continue to grow.
What are the benefits of ECLS Center Certification?
The benefits of ECLS Center Certification are to:
• Verify scope of ECLS services.
• Meets ELSO’s requirements for certified services.
What patient populations are eligible for the ELSO ECLS Center Certification?
Institutions can apply for the adult, pediatric, neonatal, or comprehensive (adult, neo & peds) patient population.
The Award Evaluation and Improvement Tool and the Application Worksheet are available January 1st for the current Award cycle. Online Application form for submission is available January 1st.
Where can I find the full Center Certification requirements?
What are the components of the review process?
There are three parts: Application, Site Visit, Certification Finalization. A formal contract with the institution will be required prior to finalization.
The review process begins with an online application. The application is comprehensive in its review and requires many attached documents. Applicants take up to 4 weeks to gather all documents and submit the requested
information.
Approximately 4-6 weeks after the written application is submitted, the applicant is notified of their status for a mandatory site visit. Applicants not eligible for a site visit will be notified of possible next steps. The
site visit should be completed within 8 weeks of the notification of eligibility. ELSO will identify a non-conflicted, non-competing survey team with appropriate regional context.
Approximately 4 weeks after the site visit concludes, ELSO will issue a preliminary report to the applicant. Following any clarifications and/or updates to missing information, the Center Certification Committee will issue a
final report based on the written application and site visit.
The entire application process can take between 6-9 months to complete.
What is the cost to participate?
At this time, ELSO ECLS Center Certification is in an invite-only pilot site phase. To be considered for a pilot site visit, please contact CenterCertification@elso.org
How long is the Center Certification valid for?
The Certification is valid for three years beginning the date on your finalized Certification Report.
Will there be any recertification requirements?
Recertification will be contingent on an applicant’s continued compliance with the Center Certification Methodology. An automatic review may be triggered in cases where a Certified Center has significant changes in program
structure, performance, or staffing. A full recertification process will be released at a later date.