Abstract
Objective This study aimed to assess neonatologists' experience and comfort with neonatal electrical
cardioversion or defibrillation (EC-D).
Study Design Electronic surveys were distributed to academic neonatologists affiliated with 12
Midwest academic hospitals. Neonatologists were asked about their residency training;
years since completing residency; current certification/competency training in the
Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular
Life Support (ACLS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP); experiences with EC-D;
availability of a pediatric cardiologist; and their comfort levels with such procedures.
Standard statistical tests evaluated comfort with EC-D.
Results Seventy-two out of 180 neonatologists responded to the survey (response rate = 40%).
Of them, 98.6% (71), 54.2% (39), and 37.5% (27) maintained current NRP, BLS, and PALS
trainings, respectively. Also, 73.6% (n = 53) reported having performed neonatal EC-D. Of those, 50.9% (n = 27) indicated feeling slightly to very uncomfortable performing EC-D. We report
a lack of BLS certification being associated with a lack of comfort (odds ratio [OR]:
0.269, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.071, 0.936]), and a positive association between
a pediatric cardiologist being present and being uncomfortable (OR: 3.722, 95% CI:
[1.069, 14.059]). Those reporting greater volume and more recent experience with EC-D
report more comfort.
Conclusion Of neonatologists who performed EC-D, half of them reported being uncomfortable.
BLS certification and experience are positively associated with comfort in performing
EC-D. Simulations to increase training in EC-D should be offered regularly to academic
neonatologists.
Key Points
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Most neonatologists have performed EC-D, but many feel uncomfortable with performing
EC-D.
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Many do not maintain current certification in BLS, PALS, or ACLS.
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Simulation training in EC-D will increase comfort with EC-D.
Keywords
neonatal defibrillation - neonatal cardioversion - neonatology survey
