Hospital machine touted as ‘last best option’ to treat COVID-19 patients

KOMO News | by Patrick Quinn, KOMO News Reporter | May 18, 2020

Dr. Samuel Mandell

The machine, known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, is seen as a possible last resort for coronavirus patients. (Photo: KOMO News)

Until there is a cure or vaccine, hospitals could continue to struggle to treat the most critical COVID-19 patients, but doctors at Harborview Medical Center are turning to a machine for to help revive patients suffering from severe lung damage.

The machine, known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, is seen as a possible last resort for coronavirus patients.

Dr. Sam Mandell, a surgeon at Harborview Medical Center, said several of his patients were on the machine.

“The four (patients) that we have on now, I would say, without ECMO, most of them would not be alive,” he said. MORE >