Manikin training for neonatal resuscitation with the laryngeal mask airway

Abstract

Background: \ud We describe our experience of brief (≤15 min) manikin-only training with the laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) for neonatal resuscitation in 80 health care workers.\ud \ud Methods: \ud Prior to training, 31% had not heard of the LMA, 57% did not know the LMA could be used for neonatal resuscitation and 88% thought it was a disposable device.\ud \ud Results: \ud The mean (sd) range time to insert the LMA after training was 5 (2, 5–16) s and there were no failed insertions. The preferred technique for neonatal resuscitation, before vs after training, changed from 72 to 14% for the face mask (P < 0.00001), from 6 to 80% for the LMA (P < 0.00001), from 5 to 0% for laryngoscope-guided tracheal intubation (P = 0.04) and from 16 to 5% for unknown (P = 0.02). All considered that training was adequate and the LMA should be available on neonatal resuscitation carts. Confidence in using the LMA increased from 8 to 97% (P < 0.0001).\ud \ud Conclusions: \ud We conclude that LMA insertion success rates are high and confidence increases after brief manikin-only training