SYN:APSE Simulation Center hosts second annual Neonatal Boot Camp

Yale New Haven’s SYN:APSE Simulation Center hosted its second virtual Neonatal Boot Camp for pediatric physician residents and fellows in July. The event drew 57 first-year neonatal fellows from 22 regional programs. 

With COVID-19 limiting live training sessions, Simulation Center specialists created Zoom platforms and used simulation software, high-fidelity manikins and virtual patient monitoring for skills training. 

“We successfully used this model in our first boot camp in 2020,” said Antonietta Hallet, simulation development strategy specialist. “Simulations that took place throughout our center in New Haven were shared virtually with participants in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region.” 

This year’s event included team training, communication, small-group sessions and video review, including neonatal resuscitation program scenarios. Participants practiced procedures involving intubations, umbilical line placement, advanced airway and defibrillation at their respective institutions. Finally, each fellow participated as a team member or leader in six virtual simulation sessions.

These sessions gave them the opportunity to apply their new knowledge and skills, which will help them manage critical situations that may arise in the delivery room or neonatal intensive care unit. 

The two-day event included 48 simulations, led by SYN:APSE simulation specialists Karen Lombardi, Tony Polcaro, Christian Gonzalez and Chris Banziruk. Yale School of Medicine faculty members and neonatologists Lindsay Johnston, MD; Christie Bruno, DO; and Soo Hyun Kwon, MD, led procedural training and debriefing sessions.  

 “The feedback on the boot camp is uniformly positive from trainees and facilitators,” Dr. Johnston said. "We could not have accomplished this gargantuan task without our strong partnership with SYN:APSE. The team is innovative, extremely organized and enthusiastic about providing this important opportunity to new fellows as they build their skills and form a community of practice.”

The SYN:APSE team and physicians plan to hold an in-person boot camp next year.

YNHHS’ SYN:APSE Simulation Center recently held its second virtual Neonatal Boot Camp for pediatric physician residents and fellows. Guided by Simulation Center specialists and Yale School of Medicine physicians on Zoom, participants from throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions used simulation tools at their organizations for hands-on procedural training.

Neonatologists Christie Bruno, DO, (left) and Lindsay Johnston, MD, helped lead training sessions from the SYN:APSE center in New Haven.