The effect of a structured neonatal resuscitation program on delivery room practices.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the introduction of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association into the delivery room of an Irish maternity hospital.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled observational study of 51 deliveries before and 51 deliveries following the training of delivery room personnel in the NRP.


METHODS
Participants were 33 nurse-midwives and 11 pediatric resident physicians.


METHODS
Evaluation of postdelivery, newborn resuscitation practices.


RESULTS
The introduction of the NRP was associated with significant improvements in delivery room preparation, in the evaluation and management of the newborn infant, and in thermal protection at birth. Although there was a trend to use more free-flow oxygen following the introduction of the NRP, this was not statistically significant. Bag and mask ventilation was also used more frequently following NRP training. However, there were no significant differences in the use of endotracheal intubation, chest compressions, and medications. Fifteen of the 51 infants became hypothermic prior to the introduction of the NRP; none of the infants developed hypothermia in the post-NRP part of the study.
Ryan
C A
CA
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Ireland.
Clark
L M
LM
Malone
A
A
Ahmed
S
S
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D003696:Delivery Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000193:education*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies