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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:06
Neonatal Subventricular Zone Electroporation
Published on: February 11, 2013
13.3K
Procedural Case: Neonatal Lumbar Puncture
Charles Lei1, Stephanie Cohen2, Andrew Melendez3
1Hennepin County Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Minneapolis, MN.
Journal of Education & Teaching in Emergency Medicine
|January 12, 2026
Summary
This simulation case helps emergency medicine residents prepare for the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Certifying Exam by practicing neonatal lumbar puncture (LP) skills. The case provides a risk-free environment to develop cognitive and technical proficiency in this critical procedure.
Area of Science:
- Medical Simulation
- Emergency Medicine Education
- Neonatal Procedures
Background:
- Neonatal lumbar puncture (LP) is crucial for diagnosing central nervous system infections but is technically challenging, with low success rates.
- Reduced clinical experience due to updated guidelines and training limitations hinders resident proficiency in neonatal LP.
- The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Certifying Exam will include LP, necessitating focused resident training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess learners' clinical decision-making, technical proficiency, and communication skills in performing neonatal LP.
- To provide a structured, risk-free environment for practicing neonatal LP, addressing educational gaps in emergency medicine residency.
- To prepare residents for the procedural skills component of the ABEM Certifying Exam.
Main Methods:
- Development of a single-station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) using a neonatal LP procedural task trainer.
- Collaboration with emergency medicine and simulation experts, followed by external peer review and piloting at academic institutions.
- Utilized a standardized examiner script and behaviorally anchored checklist for consistent evaluation of cognitive and technical skills.
Main Results:
- Expert reviewers confirmed learning objectives were specific, relevant, and tailored to the target audience.
- Faculty facilitators found the scenario materials sufficient for independent case facilitation.
- Learners reported clear instructions and valuable preparation for the ABEM Certifying Exam.
Conclusions:
- The neonatal LP simulation case effectively met educational objectives and prepared learners for the ABEM Certifying Exam.
- The simulation case received high ratings for clarity, usability, and cohesiveness, supporting its integration into EM training.
- Structured procedural OSCEs using simulation address educational gaps, promote training consistency, and enhance board certification preparedness.
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