Neonatal resuscitation training

Authors

van den Hoogen A, Johnston L, de Boode W, Langhammer F, Collart M, Gözen D, Petty J, Schlembach D, Simeone N, Stoniene D, Tency I

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Target group

Infants, parents, and families

User group

Healthcare professionals, neonatal units, hospitals, health services and education providers

Statement of standard

Every healthcare professional is given access to and undertakes regular neonatal resuscitation training.

Rationale

Research suggests that in institutions in Europe where Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training has taken place, the incidence of significant morbidities in the immediate newborn period may be reduced, even in countries where a severe shortage of equipment and supplies exists. (1)

Healthcare professionals formally trained in resuscitation require additional input to maintain their competence in neonatal resuscitation. (1–3) To ensure infants in need of resuscitation have access to appropriate and qualified care, physicians, nurses and midwives should be frequently re-trained in neonatal basic life support. Ideally, training should be repeated at least once a year. (1)

Benefits

Short-term benefits

Improved survival at birth following perinatal compromise requiring resuscitation (1)

Long-term benefits

Improved long-term outcomes with timely and effective resuscitation (2)

Components of the standard

Component

Grading of evidence

Indicator of meeting the standard

For parents and family

Parents and families are informed by healthcare professionals about neonatal resuscitation training and have an opportunity for resuscitation training before discharge.

B (High quality)

Patient information sheet¹, training documentation

Parents are encouraged and enabled to be present with their infant during resuscitation, as part of a family-centred approach. (4,5)

A (Moderate quality)
B (Low quality)

Clinical record, parent feedback

For healthcare professionals

Training in resuscitation using the European guidelines is attended by all responsible physicians, nurses and midwifes. (1)

A (Moderate quality)
B (High quality)

Training documentation

For neonatal unit

Recertification evidence is regularly audited. (3)

A (Moderate quality)

Audit report², training documentation

For hospital

Training in resuscitation is mandatory.

B (High quality)

Training documentation

For health service

N/A

¹The indicator “patient information sheet” is an example for written, detailed information, in which digital solutions are included, such as web-based systems, apps, brochures, information leaflets, and booklets.

²The indicator “audit report” can also be defined as a benchmarking report.

Where to go

Further development

Grading of evidence

For parents and family

N/A

For healthcare professionals

N/A

For neonatal unit

N/A

For hospital

N/A

For health service

N/A

Getting started

Initial steps

For parents and family

Parents and families are informed by healthcare professionals about neonatal resuscitation and training options.
Parents and families have an opportunity for resuscitation training at time of discharge. (6)

For healthcare professionals

Attend training in resuscitation.
Access E-learning modules regarding newborn life support (NLS and advanced NLS).

For neonatal unit

Provide in-house training using European guidelines. (1)
Provide easy access to E-learning modules regarding newborn life support (NLS and advanced NLS).

For hospital

Support healthcare professionals to participate in training in resuscitation.
Provide in-house training using European guidelines. (1)

For health service

N/A

Madar J, Roehr CC, Ainsworth S, Ersdal H, Morley C, Ruediger M, Skåre C, Szczapa T, Te Pas A, Trevisanuto D, Urlesberger B. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Newborn resuscitatio
Duran R, Görker I, Küçükuğurluoğlu Y, Çiftdemir NA, Vatansever Özbek U, Acunaş B. Effect of neonatal resuscitation courses on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia. Pediatr Int Off J Jpn Pediatr Soc. 2012 Feb;54(1):56–9.
Cusack J, Fawke J. Neonatal resuscitation: are your trainees performing as you think they are? A retrospective review of a structured resuscitation assessment for neonatal medical trainees over an 8-year period. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2012 Jul;97(4):F246-248.
McAlvin SS, Carew-Lyons A. Family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures in pediatric critical care: a systematic review. Am J Crit Care Off Publ Am Assoc Crit-Care Nurses. 2014 Nov;23(6):477–484; quiz 485.
Powers KA. Educational Interventions to Improve Support for Family Presence During Resuscitation: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Dimens Crit Care Nurs DCCN. 2017 Apr;36(2):125–38.
Care Quality Commission. Identifying and managing clinical risks in newborn babies and providing care for infants in the community who need respiratory support [Internet]. [cited 2018 May 15]. Available from: http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20160707_babyclinicalrisks_web.pdf

Second edition, July 2025.

Lifecycle

5 years/next revision: 2029

Recommended citation

GFCNI, van den Hoogen A, Johnston L et al., European Standards of Care for Newborn Health: Neonatal resuscitation training. 2025.

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