Telemedicine for Neonatal Resuscitation

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramMaintaining high levels of readiness for neonatal resuscitation in settings with low‐risk maternity services is challenging. Use of the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) algorithm is a community standard in the United States; however, training is often only required every 2 years, and few staff receive enough exposure to these critical events to be proficient at timely implementation of the algorithm and advanced procedures such as umbilical vein access and endotracheal intubation. Birth centers may not have a practitioner immediately available to lead neonatal resuscitation. Even when staff is trained in advanced procedures, the skills needed for full resuscitation are not performed regularly, and low levels of comfort with these skills are reported. Additionally, task saturation occurs when team leaders are expected to perform advanced procedures while leading the resuscitation team. There are reports that errors in neonatal resuscitation continue to occur related to team skill level, including problems with effective training, muscle memory building, communication, and task saturation. At sites where there is limited exposure to emergency events because of low volumes of high‐risk deliveries, staff may never build up the experience needed to efficiently and effectively resuscitate a premature or ill newborn.Proposed ChangeTo develop a Telemedicine Resuscitation Program that links a remote NRP l...

Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - June 4, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Pat Scheans, Lori McElwain Tags: Newborn Care Source Type: research