Journal of medical engineering & technology
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Training staff in the resuscitation of neonates is an essential skill; resuscitation efficacy is difficult to quantify but critical to infant survival. Objective assessments of the efficacy of training methods, resuscitation techniques and devices have used concurrent measurements of air flow and air pressure in commercially available manikins. This system also simultaneously measures the force transmitted through the manikin head during simulated resuscitation, as applying excessive force may be deleterious to newborn infants. ⋯ This system enables comparison of staff groups, resuscitation techniques and devices in an accurate and reproducible manner. Its use could improve training by offering a means of objective performance feedback through a range of parameters. Evaluation of clinical practice may also result in direct patient benefit.