Neonatal simulation training decreases the incidence of chest compressions in term newborns.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the effectiveness of a multidimensional neonatal simulation-based medical education training programme on direct and indirect patient outcome parameters.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analytical study with a historical control group in a level II neonatal care unit (1,700 births per year). A multidimensional interdisciplinary training programme on neonatal resuscitation was implemented in 2015; pre-training (2012-2014) and post-training (2015-2019) eras were compared in terms of mortality (direct outcome) and the received intervention level immediately after birth (indirect outcome). Intervention levels were defined as follows: A) short-term non-invasive ventilation, B) prolonged non-invasive ventilation (>5 inflation breaths), C) chest compressions.

RESULTS

Of 13,950 neonates born during the study period, 826 full-term newborns received one of the three intervention levels for adaptation after birth. A total of 284 (34.4%) patients received short-term non-invasive ventilation (A), 477 (57.8%) had prolonged ventilation (B), and 65 (7.9%) chest compressions (C), respectively. Comparing the pre- and post-training eras, there was no significant reduction in mortality, and no significant changes were found in groups A or B. However, the risk for chest compressions (group C) decreased significantly from 0.91% in the pre-training era to 0.20% in the post-training era (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although there was no significant effect on neonatal mortality, regular interdisciplinary simulation training decreased the number of administered chest compressions immediately after birth. Further studies are needed to test indirect outcome-related parameters, such as frequency of chest compressions as a measure of effectiveness and impact of medical training.