NURSING CARE OF AN ADULT PATIENT UNDERGOING VENO-VENOUS EXTRA CORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION (VV ECMO)

Abstract

In today's dynamic medical environment, evolving technologies and advanced life-saving therapies pose new challenges to nursing care. One of the pioneering achievements in this field is veno-venous ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) therapy, which plays a key role in the treatment of adult patients with severe respiratory failure. ECMO, also known as artificial respiratory support, is a revolutionary step towards more effective care for critically ill patients. This article is devoted to a deeper understanding of the role of nurses in the care of an adult patient undergoing venovenous ECMO therapy. Venovenous ECMO therapy is a procedure in which a patient's blood is pumped outside the body, where it is oxygenated, and then reintroduced into the circulation. For adult patients with advanced respiratory failure who do not achieve effective improvement with traditional treatment methods, ECMO often becomes the last resort. However, the complex nature of this therapy requires commitment and expertise from nurses to provide effective patient care. One of the main challenges that venovenous ECMO therapy poses to nurses is monitoring the patient's precise physiological parameters. Strict control of blood pressure, oxygen levels and organ perfusion becomes crucial to the success of therapy. Nurses therefore act as guardians of physiological stability, constantly reacting to possible instabilities and adjusting the parameters of the device under control. It is also worth emphasizing that nursing care for a patient undergoing venovenous ECMO therapy is not limited only to technical aspects. The comprehensiveness of this type of treatment is also associated with concern for the patient's psychosocial aspects. Long-term connection to an ECMO device can cause emotional and mental stress in the patient, which makes the support of nurses in the field of psychological care extremely important. Nurses act as both medical professionals and empathetic companions in difficult times, which translates into the overall success of therapy. The article will also focus on nurses' protocols for dealing with a patient undergoing venovenous ECMO therapy. From an excellent understanding of device maintenance to effective communication with the entire healthcare team, nurses play a key role in ensuring safe and effective therapy. As technology advances and life therapies become more advanced, nurses' skills are continually improved to meet the demands of modern medical care.