A multi-parameter system for use in neonatal resuscitation research and training

Abstract

Training staff in the resuscitation of neonates is an essential skill; resuscitation efficacy is difficult to quantify but critical to infant survival. Objective assessments of the efficacy of training methods, resuscitation techniques and devices have used concurrent measurements of air flow and air pressure in commercially available manikins. This system also simultaneously measures the force transmitted through the manikin head during simulated resuscitation, as applying excessive force may be deleterious to newborn infants. The overall accuracy of the force plate over the range 0–5 kg was 0.5%; the output was linear; the frequency response sufficiently high and there was no evidence of hysteresis. This system enables comparison of staff groups, resuscitation techniques and devices in an accurate and reproducible manner. Its use could improve training by offering a means of objective performance feedback through a range of parameters. Evaluation of clinical practice may also result in direct patient benefit.

Keywords::

• Manikin
• Simulated resuscitation
• Applied force
• Measurement system

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Clinical Measurement Section of the Medical Physics Department for their contribution to manikin modification and construction of the data acquisition system.

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by a South Tees NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust Research and Development Small Grant Award. The authors report no conflicts of interest.