Reno, Nev.-based Renown Health is opening the state's first and only comprehensive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program.
The ECMO machines are being installed at the cardiac ICU at Renown Regional Medical Center. These machines take over heart and lung function when a patient's organs do not work on their own.
"We are incredibly grateful for the Helmsley Charitable Trust and their $3.5 million grant to help establish the first ECMO program for the region at Renown," Brian Erling, MD, president and CEO for Renown Health, said in the release. "ECMO saves lives. Neighbors in need of ECMO life-support can now stay close to home and loved ones, and no longer need to be transported to facilities outside our area for this type of advanced care."