Two-Minute Training for Improving Neonatal Bag and Mask Ventilation 

Adequate PPV is the cornerstone for effective neonatal resuscitation. However, achieving effective manual ventilation can be difficult because most clinicians are not aware when mask leak or airway obstruction occurs or when excessive peak inflation pressures (PIP) are delivered (above 35 cm H2O). 

In this study, te Pas and colleagues compared the effects of a two-minute resuscitation training. Two groups of clinicians, one experienced in resuscitation and the other not, performed ventilation on a leak-free manikin, before and after two-minutes training. They observed that a brief instruction significantly improved mask ventilation using a self-inflating bag, mask leak decreased during ventilation by both experienced and inexperienced caregivers. Although the training only had moderate effect on the median pressures given and the dispersion of pressures, inexperienced caregivers applied significantly less inflations where pressures occurred above the pressure limit after training. 

Experienced caregivers also significantly benefitted from training due to the significant decrease in leak. Since the instruction was short and simple, the two minutes bag and mask training could easily be incorporated in existing training modules. 

Conclusion 

The authors conclude that, ”a two-minute training with a few key points significantly decreased mask leak to acceptable levels in both experienced and inexperienced caregivers”.