A Customizable Digital Cognitive Aid for Neonatal Resuscitation

Abstract

Objective Adherence to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) algorithm optimizes the initial management of critically ill neonates. In this randomized controlled trial, we assessed the impact of a customizable sequential digital cognitive aid (DCA), adapted from the 2020 ILCOR recommendations, compared with a poster cognitive aid (standard of care [SOC]), on technical and nontechnical performance of junior trainees during a simulated critical neonatal event at birth. Methods For this prospective, bicentric video-recorded study, students were recruited on a voluntary basis, and randomized into groups of 3 composed of a pediatric resident and two midwife students. They encountered a simulated cardiac arrest at birth either (1) with DCA use and ILCOR algorithm poster displayed on the wall (intervention group) or (2) with sole ILCOR algorithm poster (poster cognitive aid [SOC]). Technical and nontechnical skills (NTS) between the two groups were assessed using a standardized scoring of videotaped performances. A neonate specific NTS score was created from the adult Team score. Results 108 students (36 groups of three) attended the study, 20 groups of 3 in the intervention group and 16 groups of 3 in the poster cognitive aid (SOC) group. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in the technical score (P < 0.001) with an average of 24/27 points (24.0 [23.5–25.0]) versus 20.8/27 (20.8 [19.9–22.5]) in poster cognitive aid (SOC) group. No nontechnical score difference was observed. Feedback on the application was positive. Conclusions During a simulated critical neonatal event, use of a DCA was associated with higher technical scores in junior trainees, compared with the sole use of ILCOR poster algorithm.