Improving newborn heart rate assessment using a simple visual timer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Newborn resuscitation relies on accurate heart rate (HR) assessment, which, during auscultation, is prone to error. We investigated if a 6 s visual timer (VT) could improve HR assessment accuracy during newborn simulation.

Design

Prospective observational study of newborn healthcare professionals.

Setting

Three-phase developmental approach: phase I: HR auscultation during newborn simulation using a standard clock timer (CT) or the VT; phase II: repeat phase I after using a bespoke training app (NeoRate); phase III: following the Newborn Life Support course, participants assessed random HRs using the CT or VT.

Main outcome measures

HR accuracy (within ±10 beats/min, correct HR category, i.e. <60, 60-100 and >100 beats/min), assessment time and error-fr

SUBMITTER: Henry C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7223635 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature