What is ELSO ECLS Center Certification?

ELSO ECLS Center Certification is a certification program that recognizes institutions that provide extracorporeal life support (ECLS) care, such as ECMO. ELSO Center Certificaiton defines the scope of care for ECLS programs and provides institutions a clear structure to ensure high standards and safe, accessible care worldwide.

ELSO ECLS Center Certification Methodology & Blueprints

Key Features:

• Guidance and Structure: The certification program is designed to help ECLS centers everywhere, providing a framework for best practices and organizational improvement.
• Essential Components: The evaluation covers team education and training, policies and procedures, governance, financial management, and research—all critical for delivering safe ECLS care.
• Focus on ECMO: While all forms of ECLS are considered, the main focus is on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), the most common type of ECLS support.
• Recognition by Category: Centers are recognized based on the types of patients they serve, the kinds of ECLS support they provide, and their certification level (which is determined by ELSO).

How Certification Works

• Centers apply for certification, specifying their patient population and ECLS support types.
• ELSO reviews the application and assigns a certification level.
• The program is separate from ELSO’s Center of Excellence award, which focuses on ongoing quality assessment and has its own application process.

Why Get Certified?

• International recognition for scope of ECLS services.
• Institution specific report from ELSO indicating strengths and areas for improvement.
• Providing a pathway for safe ECMO care for all populations, while enhancing program development.