A Pilot Nursing-Specific Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Simulation (SIM) Refresher Course Improves Performance of Initial Neonatal Resuscitation (NR)

This submission has open access
Submission ID :
ESPR192
Submission Type
Submission Topic
Abstract: :

Background:  Nurses serve as frontline providers at low risk deliveries, and are responsible for assessing the newborn, providing  initial steps (IS) and if needed, starting bag mask ventilation (BMV) and calling for help. There are limited data on optimal methods of discipline specific training in these skills. We piloted a SIM refresher course focusing on the initial portion of NR prior to arrival of  larger team. 

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of a NRP refresher course on nursing performance of IS (warm, dry, stimulate, suction), calling for additional help, initiation of BMV and performance of ventilation corrective steps: adjust mask (M), reposition head (R), suction airway (S), open mouth (O) & increase pressure (P) (MRSOP).

Design Methods: A refresher course was piloted in Fall 2019 in a large delivery service among labor and delivery (L&D) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses. The brief 15 min, one-on-one course was developed by a multidisciplinary team and is comprised of 3 parts. 1. Sim 1 (pre-teaching) to establish baseline skills. 2. Debrief to provide specific feedback, teaching and opportunity to practice. 3. Sim 2 (post-teaching) to solidify learning.  Individual performance during each SIM was recorded by an instructor on a novel NeoNatalie Advanced manikin (Laerdal Medical) using a control iPad. A readout allows the instructor to provide real time feedback and to obtain quantitative data of performance.  Data was scored to indicate completion of:  IS, call for help, initiating BMV, performance of MRSOP, and consideration for alternative airway (Table 1). McNemar's & paired t-tests were utilized for analysis.  This is an IRB approved study.

Results:  68 L&D/NICU nurses were included in this study. Mean total performance scores were higher in Sim 2 versus Sim 1 (15.0 vs 7.2; p < 0.001) (Fig 1).  In Sim 2 vs Sim 1 participants were more likely to call for help (94.1% vs 41.2%; p <0.001).  Almost all participants initiated BMV in Sim 1 and Sim 2 (95.6% vs 100%, p=0.25 respectively). More participants performed at least one step of MRSOP (100% vs 88.2%; p= 0.008) and all of MRSOP (38.2% vs 1.5%; p < 0.001) in Sim 2 vs Sim 1 (Table 2).  

Conclusions: Implementation of a brief nursing-specific NRP SIM refresher course significantly improves performance of initial resuscitation skills from baseline. The observation of low baseline scores suggests an urgent need for more frequent refresher courses to achieve and maintain mastery of NRP skills.  

Optional insertion of tables and or figures :
If the file does not load, click here to open/download the file.
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine
NYP Weill Cornell Medicine

Abstracts With Same Type

Submission ID
Submission Title
Submission Topic
Submission Type
Corresponding Author
ESPR157
Clinical Research
Original science
Aditya Chhikara
ESPR302
Epidemiology
Original science
Natasha Jouk
ESPR74
Clinical Research
Original science
Alexandra Mazo
774 visits