The effect of a structured neonatal resuscitation program on delivery room practices

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Pediatric resuscitation
• Maternal-child health

Background:

• The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is a critical intervention for managing newborns requiring assistance at birth.
• Standardized training in resuscitation protocols is essential for improving neonatal outcomes.
• Evaluating the impact of established programs in diverse clinical settings is crucial for evidence-based practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of implementing the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) in a real-world clinical setting.
• To evaluate changes in delivery room preparation, newborn assessment, and resuscitation techniques post-NRP introduction.
• To determine the impact of NRP training on the incidence of hypothermia in newborns.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, controlled observational study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 51 deliveries before and 51 deliveries after NRP training.
• Participants included nurse-midwives and pediatric resident physicians involved in neonatal care.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in delivery room preparation, newborn evaluation, and thermal protection.
• The incidence of neonatal hypothermia decreased from 29.4% to 0% after NRP implementation.
• Increased use of bag and mask ventilation was noted, while endotracheal intubation, chest compressions, and medication use remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• The introduction of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) led to substantial improvements in neonatal resuscitation practices and outcomes.
• NRP training is effective in enhancing thermal protection and reducing hypothermia in newborns.
• The program positively impacted overall delivery room management and newborn care in the studied maternity hospital.