Authors

  1. Section Editor(s): STOKOWSKI, LAURA A. RN, MS

Article Content

The ideal patient for teaching neonatal resuscitation is here. The patient simulator is 7 lb in weight and 21 inches in height. She can be vigorous, moving and crying, or limp, apneic, and cyanotic. She is SimNewB, a high-fidelity interactive patient simulator designed by Laerdal with the American Academy of Pediatrics to meet the training needs of the neonatal resuscitation program (NRP). SimNewB's realistic anatomy includes an umbilicus with a life-like pulse that can be assessed, cut, or even catheterized for IV access and bilateral intraosseous access. SimNewB's airway is realistic and can be used to teach all aspects of newborn airway management, including positive pressure ventilation, endotracheal intubation, and insertion of a laryngeal mask airway. The simulator's lung compliance can be altered to teach the skills of detecting and treating lung compliance changes. The chest rise can also be changed from absent to normal, with a respiratory rate up to 100 breaths per minute. Trainees can even practice needle decompression of a pneumothorax. There are 6 preset clinical patient conditions ranging from a vigorous to a compromised newborn. The user interface allows the instructor to control SimNewB's responses with the push of a button on a remote handheld controller. Support materials map directly to NRP course materials, enabling the instructor to easily follow the NRP curriculum. SimNewB is available in basic and advanced versions (Laerdal Medical, Wappinger Falls, New York, http://www.laerdal.com/document.asp?subnodeid=32779467).