Adequate Position and Recommended Time for Initial Steps of Neonatal Resuscitation

Background: The Neonatal Resuscitation Program highlights the importance of a newborn's first minute, the "Golden Minute", during which the pediatrician determines if a newborn requires, and initiates advanced resuscitation. From birth to the first neonatal evaluation, we detect periods that we call "Lost Time", that delay advanced resuscitation because it is not controlled: The "adequate position" in which gynecologists must "pass" and pediatricians "receive" the newborn; The transfer time to the radiant warmer and; The duration of the initial steps.

Objectives of the Study: 1. Present and propose what we consider the "adequate position" to "pass" and "receive" the newborn at each birth. 2. Expose “LT” detected, and how to eliminate them; 3. Establish the adequate time for each initial step of neonatal resuscitation.

Methodology: Observational, descriptive, comparative, triple-blind study. We recorded the position in which gynecologists pass to the newborn, and pediatricians receive, the transfer time to the radiant warmer, and the duration of the initial steps, in 150 deliveries and 150 cesarean sections. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics, X2, T-test.

Results: The position to pass and receive the newborn was incorrect and delayed. The transfer time to the radiant warmer was long. The duration of the initial steps was longer than expected. Without differences between both groups.

Conclusions: Planning and accelerating the "adequate position" to "pass and receive" the neonate at each birth, reducing the transfer time to the radiant warmer and shortening the duration of the initial steps, allow us to eliminate lost time, optimize the golden minute of resuscitation and improve neonatal outcomes.