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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001;85:F96-F99 doi:10.1136/fn.85.2.F96
  • Original article

Evaluation of the role of the neonatal nurse practitioner in resuscitation of preterm infants at birth

  1. W R Aubrey,
  2. C W Yoxall
  1. Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK
  1. Dr YoxallBill.Yoxall{at}lwh-tr.nwest.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 12 June 2001

Abstract

BACKGROUND Changes in the work patterns and numbers of medical staff in training grades pose a significant challenge to those responsible for the provision of an effective clinical neonatal service. Advanced neonatal nurse practitioners (ANNPs) may have a role in this changing neonatal service. The effectiveness of the ANNP has been established in North America but has not been properly evaluated in the United Kingdom.

AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of ANNPs in resuscitation of preterm babies at birth against the standard set by junior medical staff.

SETTING Regional neonatal intensive care unit.

METHOD Retrospective analysis of resuscitation details, other basic data, and clinical outcomes of 245 preterm (< 33 weeks gestation) babies born in Liverpool Women's Hospital between January 1998 and April 1999.

RESULTS Resuscitation teams led by ANNPs provided the same resuscitation interventions as those provided by medically led teams. Although babies resuscitated by ANNP led teams were no more likely to be intubated, they were intubated more quickly and received surfactant sooner (p = 0.0001) than babies resuscitated by medically led teams. Babies attended by ANNP led teams were less likely to be hypothermic on admission to the neonatal unit (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION ANNPs are effective in the resuscitation of preterm babies at birth.

Footnotes

    Responses to this article

    • Re: Caution required when comparing ANNPs and medical staff
      • C W Yoxall
      Arch Dis Child - Fetal Neonatal Ed published online November 12, 2001
    • Caution required when comparing ANNPs and medical staff
      • Rebecca French,
      • David Evans
      Arch Dis Child - Fetal Neonatal Ed published online November 8, 2001
    • Paediatric senior house officers (SHOs) need to be trained
      • Ieuan Davies
      Arch Dis Child - Fetal Neonatal Ed published online October 25, 2001

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