Perfusion Week: Recognising the Life-Saving Role of Clinical Perfusionists in our District

Last week the District celebrated Perfusion Week, which recognises the vital yet often unseen work of clinical perfusionists – the health professionals who quite literally keep patients alive during open-heart surgery.

To mark the occasion, the St George Hospital team hosted a display in the hospital atrium, showcasing their Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and heart-lung machines. The event offered a rare insight into the technology that underpins cardiac surgery and critical care. The day was proudly supported by the Knights of St George Association, a valued community organisation that helps raise funds for the hospital’s cardiothoracic department.

Clinical perfusionists are highly trained allied health experts responsible for operating the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgical procedures where the heart must be stopped. The machine temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs, maintaining circulation and oxygenation while the surgical team operates. In addition to cardiac surgery, perfusionists are essential in ECMO, providing life support for critical conditions, heart and lung transplants, organ retrievals, intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy delivery.

Their work is grounded in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics. Their services require rapid clinical decision-making, collaboration with surgeons, anaesthetists and ICU teams, and the ability to perform under extreme pressure.

Neesha Ghedia, Clinical Perfusionist at St George Hospital and Course Coordinator, Australian and New Zealand Board of Perfusion (ANZBP) praised the work of the District.

“I’ve witnessed the incredible dedication and expertise our clinical perfusion teams bring. In every cardiac case, perfusionists play a critical role in keeping patients safe and stable. It’s highly technical work that demands precision and focus. It’sa privilege to be part of this profession,” said Neesha.

As Perfusion Week is celebrated globally, we thank our local SESLHD perfusionists for their dedication, precision, and commitment to delivering world-class care during some of the most complex moments in a patient’s journey.

Published 13 May 2025