Scottish Neonatal Pre-Transport Care Course Background

This Scottish Neonatal Pre-Transport course was developed under the auspices of the Scottish Neonatal Transport Service in collaboration with the Scottish Multiprofessional Maternity Development Programme (SMMDP).

 
Following the successful development of the Scottish Neonatal Resuscitation Course candidates, particularly from the remoter parts of Scotland , expressed a desire for further training in the care of a baby in a pre-transport situation.  Even with a modern responsive neonatal transport service it can take 3-4 hours for the retrieval team to reach a referring unit. As described above the resultant course is therefore a combined initiative by senior neonatal professionals in Scotland from service and education and the SMMDP.

The course has been developed to provide standardised training for healthcare professionals working in community maternity care settings, including midwives, general practitioners, ambulance personnel, and accident and emergency unit staff. It prepares participants to offer safe and effective care of babies in the pre-transport period by giving them the theoretical basis and the opportunity to develop the practical skills that may be required. The knowledge and skills gained during the course will prepare participants to provide ongoing neonatal care following initial resuscitation and prior to transfer.

The course lasts one day and consists of lectures, skill stations, and problem-solving scenarios. There is no formal testing during or after the course; however, constructive feedback on individual performance will be given throughout the day. It is expected that the participant will comply with any recommendations for remedial learning or experience and it is the professional responsibility of all participants to maintain their competence in consultation with their managers if appropriate.

Successful completion of the requirements of the Scottish Neonatal Pre-Transport Course does not guarantee ongoing competence in pre-transport care of the baby. This can only be assessed by senior/competent staff in the community maternity care settings in which the participants work.

 


Course Title

Scottish Neonatal Pre-Transport Care Course
Course Pre-Requisites

Prospective participants should note that it is mandatory to have successfully completed a standardised/recognised basic neonatal life support course within the previous 3 years.  The participant's competence in neonatal life support skills is assumed.  In addition, some lessons and skill stations have specific pre-requisites and participants should ensure that these are achieved prior to undertaking the course.
Course Aim The aim of the Scottoish Neonatal Pre-Transport Care Course is to provide participants with the knowledge and enhanced practical skills to competently manage the care of the baby during the pre-transport experience.
Course Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the unexpected problems of a baby in the first days of life, detection of these and the immediate care required.
  • Demonstrate safe performance of naso/oro-gastric tube insertion and aspiration, umbilical venous catheterisation, and, adhering to specific instructions/prescription, the administration of intravenous fluids, naso/oro-gastric milk feeds and drugs in a simulated situation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of each member of  the multiprofessional team involved in the care of the baby and the parents in the pre-transport period.
  • Appreciate the importance for accurate, concise and clear communication and documentation.
Indicative Content
  • Principles of stabilization 
  •  Thermal control 
  • On-going airway management 
  • Naso/oro-gastric tube insertion, aspiration and feeding 
  • Unexpected problems, detection and care 
  • Equipment used to support care/interventions in the pre-transport period 
  • Umbilical venous catheterisation 
  • Intravenous fluid requirements and intravenous fluid administration 
  • Requirements for drugs and drug administration 
  • Communication and documentation.
Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lectures
Skills stations
Problem-solving scenarios
Idividuals Likely to Benefit from Undertaking the Course Admission to the course is open to health-care professionals working in community maternity care settings caring for babies in the first days of life.
Minimum Number of Candidates

8
Maximum Number of Candidates

20
Minimum Number of Instructors to Participants

1 instructor to 4 candidates (skill stations and workshops)

To comply with the SMMDP quality measures there must be one external member included in the faculty each day.
Number of Instructor Candidates on a Course

Not more than 50%
Course Instructors

It is a requirement for this course that instructors are members of the Scottish neonatal transport team and this includes the regional co-ordinator for the particular area.                                                                                   Instructors must have completed a Scottish Generic Instructor Training Course or they have previous appropriate education training experience and are on the SMMDP database as an instructor. All instructors must comply with the SMMDP Code of Practice for Instructors.

Equipment / Resources Required for Course

A sample equipment list is available for viewing