The following are both true stories that were circulated widely in the media. Both involved emergencies in the first moments of a child’s life…
In the first story, the attending staff had trained aggressively to identify and manage labor and delivery emergencies. Upon diagnosing the immediacy of the risk factors present, the staff carried out a well-planned and rehearsed effort that avoided harm to the child. To the joy of the family, the birth was a resounding success.
At a nearby facility a similar emergency occurred, but a different story was playing out. How the circumstances were diagnosed and addressed led to emergency interventions that proved fatal to the child and resulted in a $10.2 million award to the mother.
Worldwide each year, an estimated 814,000 neonatal deaths are related to intrapartum hypoxic events (i.e. “birth asphyxia”) in full-term infants.1 Of those that survive, many are left with neurological impairments.2
When a baby is born, he or she should begin breathing within the “Golden Minute,” their first 60 seconds outside of the womb. Most babies do begin breathing on their own. 10 million babies worldwide, however, will need assistance.3 Approximately 10% of newborns who do not breathe on their own will respond to drying, warming, clearing of the airways, and stimulation. And, 1% of non-breathing babies will need advanced methods of resuscitation, such as chest compressions and medication.4
To the family, 1% means everything. That 1% stands in the way of the child’s survival, and increases the chance of brain damage even if he or she does survive. The mother who trusts that she will receive the best possible care expects that her providers have been fully prepared for the 1% risk.
The “Golden Minute” refers to the first 60 seconds of an infant’s life. Within these limited seconds, the infant should begin breathing on his or her own, or interventions must be started.
Approximately 4,000,000 babies are born each year in the United States.6 It is estimated that 400,000 of these babies will need help breathing and/or positive-pressure ventilations to successfully transition to extra-uterine life. And, as many as 12,000 infants will need advanced resuscitation with chest compressions and cardiac medications.7
In each case, steps taken to treat an infant must be precise and timely.
Perinatal asphyxia and extreme prematurity are two pregnancy complications that can necessitate complex resuscitation; however, only 60% of asphyxiated newborns can be predicted antepartum.9 The remaining newborns are not identified until the “Golden Minute,” which is why it is critical to prepare.
Following delivery and cutting of the umbilical cord, initial assessment of the newborn should be viewed as a continuum that begins with routine care and may or may not progress to further resuscitation.
Due to the frequent need for resuscitation at birth, it is critical to have evidence-based care guidelines and to train for effective neonatal resuscitation.
To ensure that healthcare providers remain up-to-date on advances in neonatal resuscitation, the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) jointly develop neonatal treatment guidelines for the United States. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program® (NRP®), which is developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, translates the AAP/AHA Guidelines for Emergency Cardiovascular Care and Resuscitation of the Neonate into an educational curriculum.
The curriculum developed by the AAP includes: eSim, skills practice, online exam, and simulation/debriefing. The blended learning approach helps to prepare healthcare professionals to facilitate effective team-based care.
Some of the most common reasons for failed neonatal resuscitation include: 11
The NRP curriculum helps to increase a care team’s confidence and improve each member’s resuscitation and stabilization skills. Moreover, the curriculum specifically addresses communication and the decision-making processes that are essential in the first—and most important—60 seconds of a newborn’s life.
Simulation plays a vital role in learning NRP. Simulation reinforces skills and knowledge integration; but, more importantly, it introduces human factors and a focus on patient safety into the scenario.
Team communications, interactions with the parents, and the inevitable feeling of uneasiness when a newborn is in distress can all be recreated during a simulation, lessening the stress level when faced with a critically ill newborn.
Simulation training also aids in the prevention of medical errors. Simulation training addresses preventable errors with continual systematic training, performance assessment, and refinement of practice as a team.13
One study found that in situ simulation training, taking place in a real clinical environment, helped to significantly decrease the number of hazardous events during a neonatal resuscitation.14 Another study found that nurses were almost 40% more likely to challenge an incorrect dosage of epinephrine following simulation training.15
Following simulation training, care providers are likely to see an improvement in clinical decision-making, sharpened skills, and increased self-confidence all of which are critical during neonatal resuscitation.
Trainees who have participated in simulated training said: 16
A skilled, confident, and cohesive care team can make all the difference in the first minute of a baby’s life. With neonatal resuscitation training, healthcare professionals are better equipped to recognize a newborn in distress and begin treatment within 60 seconds.
One minute can determine a life and a lifetime.
In keeping with our mission of helping save lives, Laerdal is committed to helping you provide the training that can prepare practitioners to manage every second of that minute. We want to help you ensure that every birth you touch, directly or indirectly, is a happy beginning.