UAM Nursing Associated Group: Extracorporeal Circulation and Perfusion

Activity summary

In the year 2023, from the Department of Nursing of the UAM and the HUFJD Sponsorship Chair, we continued to teach the Master’s Course on Advanced Practice in Extracorporeal Circulation and Perfusion (100 ECTS) and the Diploma Course on Specialisation in Advanced Clinical Practice in Comprehensive Care for Patients on ECMO and/or Ventricular Assist Devices (51 ECTS).

Our objective through the presented Bachelor’s and Master's theses is to develop lines of research and doctoral theses in the area of Perfusion and Extracorporeal Circulation.

Contributions to society

Nurse perfusionists are health professionals specialised in techniques and therapies requiring extracorporeal circulation. Extracorporeal circulation or cardiopulmonary bypass is a technique that temporarily replaces (partially or totally) the cardiocirculatory and/or respiratory function of a very seriously ill patient, or is used to enable highly complex surgical approaches and specific treatments. Originally designed to enable open heart surgery, scientific and technological developments in recent decades has also allowed its widespread application in various clinical, surgical and research scenarios, such as ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) treatment, surgery for complex tumours and high-risk transplants, therapies for the preservation, recovery and evaluation of organs for donation, and special oncological treatments. By extension, it has also provided the biomedical industry with the invention of cutting-edge life-support technology, such as long-duration ventricular assist devices and the total artificial heart.

The historical development of this particular discipline took off globally thanks to the transmission of knowledge and specific skills, first among cardiac surgeons and, progressively, among other members of the surgical team in our environment, mostly nurses and nurses' assistants. Thus, at present, all cardiovascular perfusionists in Spain are graduates in nursing who have received specific and regulated training, after much effort by this particular group and its scientific association. A postgraduate university programme was incorporated in the 1990s, and since 2008 it is in the category of a Master's degree, capable of satisfying the acquisition of competencies required for the safe, effective and efficient practice of clinical perfusion in all its fields of application. In addition, perfusionists must recertify their scientific competence and technical aptitude every two years before an accreditation body, the European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, which ensures compliance with the strictest quality standards that regulate the basic and continuing training, daily clinical practice and current research of all European perfusionists.

Over the last decade, technological integration has allowed an exponential expansion of the indications for extracorporeal circulation techniques and treatments. In this new context, the drive for the persistent improvement of results that motivates and nurtures advanced clinical practice in Nursing requires a progressive expansion of the pool of perfusionists in our country. This is in order to address the future demands of society that this professional category must respond to as a part of the health team with maximum guarantees of quality.

To this end, the Master’s Degree in Advanced Practice in Extracorporeal Circulation and Perfusion is presented as an updated and interdisciplinary academic offer with strong content, featuring fundamental, procedural and specialisation subjects, and a unique perspective on preclinical training based on SHELL/CRM methodology as the backbone of the high-fidelity simulation programme and animal experimentation that completes it. Students are provided with individualised support, both in the progressive acquisition of skills from the training center, and during their rotation through the various clinical teaching units.

The Master's degree has also been built as a pedagogical project based on meaningful and individualised learning, oriented towards the comprehensive training of students and their preparation for the competent professional performance of advanced clinical practice and research in extracorporeal circulation and perfusion, in all its areas of application, improving, with such advanced practical knowledge, the quality of care and safety that we provide to patients susceptible to these techniques.

Course venue: Theoretical-practical classes and clinical seminars are held at the UAM Faculty of Medicine. All preclinical, technical and experimental teaching activities are taught at the Advanced Clinical Simulation and Training Center (CEASEC) at La Paz University Hospital, Experimental Surgery Service/IdiPaz. Clinical rotations take place in the Clinical Teaching Units of Intensive Care Services, Post-Surgical Resuscitation and the Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery Operating Room at La Paz University Hospital, La Princesa University Hospital, Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda University Hospital, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA) and the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands.

To facilitate academic teaching, students from other Autonomous Regions have the opportunity to connect via Teams. All teaching guides and documentation is uploaded in the UAM Moodle. Exams, simulation and practical training are always face-to-face.

In order to pass both degrees, students must pass all the theoretical subjects, the final practical exam (ECOE), a clinical internship in health institutions and the final thesis.

Results from the 1st edition:

In the first edition, 22 Master's Degree students and 8 Expert Diploma students graduated.

A grant of 6,000 euros was awarded.

Of the 22 Master's students, 95% are currently working in hospitals and the medical industry. Of the Diploma students, 7 work in critical patient units with ECMO, and a hospital in our region is going to start setting up ECMOs thanks to a student who trained with us.

6.6.8-ENFERMERÍA-Foto graduación

Graduation ceremony:

On 31 October 2023, we held the Graduation Ceremony at the Faculty of Medicine. The President of the Community of Madrid, Ms. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, was the honorary patron of this first class of UAM graduates.

Collaborations

This degree is endorsed by the Ministry of Health of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, the Official College of Nursing of Madrid, General Nursing Council, ANDE (National Association of Nursing Directives), CNDE (National Conference of Deans of Nursing), SCELE (Scientific Nursing Society).

We have a specific agreement with the local Ministry of Health and the Principality of Asturias for Clinical Practices.

PhD Theses

6.6.8-ENFERMERÍA-TESIS

List of publications ordered by publication date

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Projects, contracts and observational studies

PUBLIC

Sources of public funding for projects being developed at the IIS-FJD:

_FUENTES DE FINANCIACIÓN PÚBLICA-02

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PRIVATE

Clinical trials

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