Prone transportation to an ECMO center

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) accounts for 10% of all intensive care unit admissions and mortality remains exceedingly high ranging from 35 to 46%. Prone positioning has demonstrated benefit as a treatment option in the moderate to severe subset of ARDS patients. Referral to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) center remains the standard of care for patients with refractory hypoxemia. Transfer of these already critically ill patients is high risk but there is a possibility for improved oxygenation on transport with prone positioning. Currently there is limited data on the safe transportation of prone patients to ECMO centers. Herein we describe a case of an ARDS patient safely transported prone with minimal ad hoc adjustments to standard ambulance transport.