Speaking up and Sharing Information Improves Trainee Neonatal Resuscitations

OBJECTIVES:

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

METHODS:

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.

RESULTS:

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).

CONCLUSIONS:

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