Simulation to Support Standardization of Delivery Room Management of the Very Low Birth-Weight Infant. 2021

Jeanne Wiesbrock, and Pamela Andresen, and Megan Brough
Advocate Aurora Health Care, Downers Grove, Illinois (Dr Wiesbrock and Ms Brough) and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Andresen).

BACKGROUND The birth of a very low birth-weight (VLBW) infant occurs infrequently, especially in the community hospital setting. It is critical that the team managing care of the infant in its first minutes of life follow evidence-based resuscitation guidelines and practices to optimize outcomes for this population. OBJECTIVE To implement a simulation program in a community hospital setting that supports standardized evidence-based delivery room practices of the premature infant born less than 30 weeks' gestation. METHODS Two VLBW emergent delivery scenarios were developed utilizing the neonatal resuscitation program scenario template. Special care nursery interprofessional team members from a community hospital were invited to participate in the simulation program (n = 28). Participants were asked to complete a neonatal version of the Emergency Response Confidence Tool, then view a short presentation related to delivery room management of VLBW infants. Participants attended a simulation program and completed the confidence tool after simulation. The simulation facilitator and unit educator documented team actions during each simulation session. RESULTS Fifteen opportunities for improvement within 4 simulation sessions were identified and categorized. Fourteen paired pre- and postsurveys were analyzed. Reported confidence increased in 22 of 23 resuscitation-related items. CONCLUSIONS Education and simulation programs providing opportunities to experience high-risk, low-frequency VLBW delivery situations can assist in identifying areas for improvement and may improve team member confidence. CONCLUSIONS Additional research is needed to assess whether results would be similar if this program were provided at all levels of neonatal care throughout the healthcare system.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007234 Infant, Premature A human infant born before 37 weeks of GESTATION. Neonatal Prematurity,Premature Infants,Preterm Infants,Infant, Preterm,Infants, Premature,Infants, Preterm,Premature Infant,Prematurity, Neonatal,Preterm Infant
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D012015 Reference Standards A basis of value established for the measure of quantity, weight, extent or quality, e.g. weight standards, standard solutions, methods, techniques, and procedures used in diagnosis and therapy. Standard Preparations,Standards, Reference,Preparations, Standard,Standardization,Standards,Preparation, Standard,Reference Standard,Standard Preparation,Standard, Reference
D012151 Resuscitation The restoration to life or consciousness of one apparently dead. (Dorland, 27th ed) Resuscitations
D003696 Delivery Rooms Hospital units equipped for childbirth. Birthing Centers, Hospital,Birth Centers, Hospital,Center, Hospital Birth,Center, Hospital Birthing,Centers, Hospital Birth,Centers, Hospital Birthing,Delivery Room,Hospital Birth Centers,Hospital Birthing Centers,Room, Delivery,Rooms, Delivery,Birth Center, Hospital,Birthing Center, Hospital,Hospital Birth Center,Hospital Birthing Center
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D019102 Infant, Very Low Birth Weight An infant whose weight at birth is less than 1500 grams (3.3 lbs), regardless of gestational age. Very Low Birth Weight,Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infant,Infant, Very-Low-Birth-Weight,Infants, Very-Low-Birth-Weight,Very Low Birth Weight Infant,Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

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