About the Victorian Newborn Resuscitation Project

This project, funded by the Department of Health (Victoria) and housed within the Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval Service (PIPER) Victoria, is intended to develop and implement a multidisciplinary, standardized teaching program for newborn resuscitation in Victoria.

Associate Professor Michael Stewart, NETS Director is the Project Director. Dr Julie Shaw was appointed as the Project Manager for a period of one year commencing in May 2008. In May 2009, Dr Rosemarie Boland, Nurse Educator, NETS Education, was seconded to develop both the face to face teaching programs and the web based learning materials for the NeoResus program.

The NeoResus program comprises two skills based, teamwork focused training programs: the First Response program and the Advanced Resuscitation program. These face-to-face, multidisciplinary training programs are supported by online, evidence-based learning modules, which are completed by all program participants.

The NeoResus program is:

  • Suitable for multidisciplinary participants
  • Based on adult learning principles
  • Uses web-based tools and pre-reading
  • Builds on existing educational resources
  • Supported by evidence based literature review
  • Applicable to both experienced and new staff cohorts
  • Designed to incorporate new evidence-based information as needed
  • Supported by a Facilitators package focusing on teamwork in the newborn resuscitation environment

The implementation of the Victorian Newborn Resuscitation Project includes the following functions and operations:

  • Developing implementation guidelines for statewide roll-out
  • Defining numbers of personnel requiring certification and recertification
  • Recruiting, training and accrediting Facilitators from a multidisciplinary pool
  • Arranging for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) & Maintenance of Professional Standards (MOPS) points with the relevant professional bodies, for trainers & participants
  • Identifying and sourcing equipment to support on-going program delivery
  • Developing a service plan for program delivery, with capacity for re-certification on a 5 year cycle.

Current newborn resuscitation training always involves the use of some level of simulation, generally at a low-fidelity level. The increasing availability of high-fidelity simulation manikins, equipment and scenarios is being considered as the project develops