Getinge continues to invest in ECLS/ECMO therapy to support patients during Covid-19
Getinge has a world leading position in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In recent years customer demand has increased and due to the Covid-19 pandemic the demand has increased further. Therefore, Getinge is making significant investments in production to further support customers and patients worldwide.
Getinge has a broad, high-end product portfolio for short-term or prolonged extracorporeal life support (ECLS) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) that includes a choice of devices and consumables to provide individual and sufficient extracorporeal heart and lung support, such as centrifugal pumps, oxygenators, heater units, tubing sets, and catheters and cannulae.
“We have seen a rising product demand for ECLS/ECMO therapy related products and will continue to increase our production to help our customers save more lives”, says Lena Hagman, EVP Quality & Regulatory Compliance & Managing Director Cardiopulmonary at Getinge. “Getinge has increased production output of Heart Lung Support (HLS) Advanced Sets and Permanent Life Support (PLS) Sets this year by more than 30% at our production facility in Hechingen and 110% in Rastatt and we have ambitious plans for continued growth“.
The significant investments at Getinge’s manufacturing facilities in Hechingen and Rastatt, Germany, are primarily related to increased production capacity. This includes various production tools, assembly machinery, coating equipment but also significant headcount increase of production employees.
On April 6, 2020, the US Food & Drug Administration issued guidance to temporarily expand the availability of devices used for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in the US. Cardiohelp and HLS Advanced Sets can now be used for long term (>6 hours) respiratory/ cardiopulmonary support in patients with Covid-19.
“We are doing our utmost to support healthcare workers and their patients during this global crisis”, says Lena Hagman.
More information about Getinge’s ECLS/ECMO offering can be found on Getinge’s website*: https://www.getinge.com/int/products/hospital/extracorporeal-life-support/
*Depending on national regulations, the product offering and indications can differ from market to market.
This information is intended for an international audience outside of the U.S.