UH Receives Recognition for Quality Care of Patients on Life Support

Aletah Whitman, ECMO patient.

CLEVELAND – A life-saving program at University Hospitals (UH) has received recognition for its quality care of patients. The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization presented the ECMO program at UH Cleveland Medical Center with a Gold Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support.

ECMO stands for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It uses a machine that is a form of life support for people with life-threatening illness that affects the function of the heart or lungs. ECMO keeps blood moving through the body, supporting oxygenation of the brain and other organs. A patient may need ECMO if they have experienced cardiac arrest, heart or lung failure, or severe trauma or infection.

The ELSO Excellence in Life Support Award recognizes centers worldwide that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, and patient satisfaction. Awarded centers distinguish themselves by having procedures and systems in place that promote excellence and exceptional care.

“We are honored to receive such a prestigious award highlighting the quality, life-saving care we provide our patients,” said Dr. Yasir Abu-Omar, cardiothoracic surgeon; Surgical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Center; and Russ and Connie Lincoln Chair in Cardiovascular Innovation at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. “This exemplifies to the health care community and our patients the excellent care we provide to patients in the gravest of health emergencies who come to our hospital.”

“This accomplishment reflects the dedication and passion of our care teams, and most importantly the positive outcomes of our patients,” said Dr. Colin McCloskey, a specialist in anesthesiology, critical care and emergency medicine with UH.

One of those patients is Aletah Whitman. In the fall of 2023, the 52-year-old felt an “explosion” in her leg and blacked out. She was rushed to UH Cleveland Medical Center where she was placed on ECMO.

Whitman was identified as a candidate for the hospital’s ECPR (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation) program, which is a specialized approach that puts patients on ECMO before a diagnosis is confirmed to keep them alive while doctors work to identify and address the cause of distress. The multi-disciplinary program falls under the umbrella of the Hambrick Center for Cardiac Recovery at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute and is one of many innovative and crucial efforts to improve survival rates for patients in cardiac arrest.

A CT scan showed a massive pulmonary embolism which resulted in a cardiac arrest. While on ECMO, Whitman received a pulmonary embolectomy to remove the blood clots in her lungs. She spent four days in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit before she regained consciousness and was removed from ECMO. She was discharged to a rehab facility and eventually returned home. Less than two months after her cardiac arrest, she returned to work on light duty.

“So many things had to be in place for this to go right,” said Whitman. “I know I’m so fortunate. I just wanted to get back to the life I had – my normal. I’m so grateful to UH for the amazing care.”

Amazing care is a result of collaboration by a full team of medical professionals including physicians, surgeons, respiratory therapists, registered nurses, and perfusionists. The Gold Level ELSO Award for Excellence in Life Support is a tangible recognition of a center that has all of the processes in place so that things do “go right” – high-quality standards, specialized equipment and supplies, defined patient protocols, and advanced education for staff.