SYN:APSE Simulation Center hosts neonatal bootcamp

Neonatal fellows from throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic region used high-fidelity manikins to perform hands-on procedural training at the YNHHS Simulation Center’s Neonatal Boot Camp in July.

Yale New Haven’s SYN:APSE Simulation Center hosted its 13th annual Neonatal Fellows’ Bootcamp in July. 

Participants in the two-day event included 52 fellows from 22 programs in New England and the Mid-Atlantic region, along with 40 facilitators and eight simulation specialists and educators. After two years of virtual events, this year’s program was in-person. 

“The entire Simulation Center team pitched in to help,” said Antonietta Hallet, simulation development strategy specialist. “We bonded with our peers, partnered with our participants and made a few friends along the way.” 

Didactic topics included neonatal resuscitation, teamwork and communication, and counseling and delivering serious news. Procedural skills training included positive pressure ventilation, intubation, umbilical line insertion, chest compressions, advanced airway management, intraosseous line placement, centeses and cardioversion/defibrillation. 

“The Simulation Center ran 117 high-fidelity simulations, covering common acute-care situations that occur in the delivery room and neonatal ICU,” said Tony Polcaro, senior simulation tech specialist. 

Due to space and social distancing requirements, many simulations were held in non-clinical areas at the Simulation Center, Yale New Haven Hospital’s York Street Campus and Yale University conference areas. 

Participants practiced skills using high-fidelity manikins and patient monitoring. They were supported by SYN:APSE team members Karen Lombardi, Christian Gonzalez, Chris Banziruk, Cheryl Mayeran, Jim Chernesky, Tim Disher, Janine Doucette, Polcaro and Hallet. 

The procedural training and debriefing sessions were led by Yale School of Medicine faculty members Lindsay Johnston, MD, associate professor of pediatrics (Neonatology), associate director, Fellowship Training Program in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and director of Fellowships, Pediatrics; and Christie Bruno, DO, associate professor of pediatrics (Neonatology) and program director, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program, Neonatology.

“Evaluations of the program were extremely positive, with participants commenting on the value of the simulation scenarios increasing their confidence and comfort to manage the critically ill,” Dr. Johnston said. “They especially enjoyed the opportunity to network with their peers from other institutions.”