Teleneonatal or routine resuscitation in extremely preterm infants: a randomized simulation trial

Objective

Teleneonatology, the use of telemedicine for newborn resuscitation and care, can connect experienced care providers with high-risk deliveries. In a simulated resuscitation, we hypothesized that teleneonatal resuscitation, compared to usual resuscitation, would reduce the no-flow fraction.

Study design

This was a single-center, randomized simulation trial in which pediatric residents were randomized to teleneonatal or routine resuscitation. The primary outcome was no-flow fraction defined as time without chest compressions divided by the time during which the heart rate was <60. Secondary outcomes included corrective modifications of bag-mask ventilation and times to intubation and epinephrine administration.

Results

Fifty-one residents completed the scenario. The no-flow fraction (median [IQR]) was significantly better in the teleneonatal group (0.06[0.05]) compared to the routine resuscitation group (0.07[0.82]); effect (95% CI): −16 (−43 to 0). Participants in the teleneonatal resuscitation group more frequently performed corrective modifications to bag-mask ventilation (60% vs 15%; p < 0.001). Time to intubation (214 s vs 230 s; p = 0.58) and epinephrine (395 s vs 444 s; p = 0.21) were comparable between groups.

Conclusions

In this randomized simulation trial of neonatal resuscitation, teleneonatal resuscitation reduced adverse delivery outcomes compared to routine care. Further in hospital evaluation of teleneonatology may substantiate this technology’s impact on delivery outcomes.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID

NCT04258722

Impact

Whereas telemedicine-supported neonatal resuscitation may improve the quality of resuscitation within hospital settings, unique challenges include the need for real-time, high-fidelity audio-video communication with a low failure rate.

The no-flow fraction, which evaluates the quality of chest compressions when indicated, has been associated with survival in other clinical contexts. We report a reduction in no-flow fraction in neonatal resuscitations supported with telemedicine, in addition to improvements in the quality of neonatal resuscitation.

Telemedicine-supported neonatal resuscitation may improve the quality of resuscitation within hospital settings without direct access to neonatologists.