Speaking up and sharing information improves trainee neonatal resuscitations

To identify teamwork behaviors associated with improving efficiency and quality of simulated resuscitation training.

Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of trainees undergoing neonatal resuscitation training was performed. Trainees at a large academic center (n = 100) were randomized to receive standard curriculum (n = 36) versus supplemental team training curriculum (n = 62). A 2-hour team training session focused on communication skills, and team behaviors served as the intervention. Outcomes of interest included resuscitation duration, time required to complete a simulated newborn resuscitation, and performance score, determined by evaluation of each of the team's steps during simulated resuscitation scenarios.

The teamwork behaviors assertion and sharing information were associated with shorter resuscitation duration and higher performance scores. Each additional use of assertion (per minute) was associated with a duration reduction of 41 s (95% confidence interval [CI], -71.5 to -10.2) and an increase in performance score of 1.6% (95% CI, 0.4-2.7). Each additional use of sharing information (per minute) was associated with a 14-second reduction in duration (95% CI, -30.4 to 2.9) and a 0.8% increase in performance score (95% CI, 0.05-1.5).

Teamwork behaviors of assertion and sharing information are 2 important mediators of efficiency and quality of resuscitations.