Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Jul 30, 2024
Date Accepted: Mar 23, 2025
Innovations in Neonatal Ventilation: Evaluating Device Functionalities and Technology Acceptance for Enhanced Immediate Newborn Care
ABSTRACT
Background:
A substantial number of newborns face post-delivery respiratory issues annually. Current ventilation devices in immediate newborn care lack integrated sensors and supporting mechanisms for medical professionals. This is a potential field of improvement, as safe ventilation relies on accurate pressure administration in current t-piece resuscitators. As the needed support during the process is currently limited, it highlights the demand for innovations in neonatal ventilation technology to improve efficacy and reduce potential errors.
Objective:
The study aimed to bring together medical and engineering experts to consider all aspects necessary for a successful practical applicability of an innovative ventilation technology in clinical immediate newborn care.
Methods:
An international multicenter online survey was conducted amongst 51 neonatal healthcare professionals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH region) in order to: (1) assess the specific functionalities required in a neonatal ventilation assistant in immediate newborn care from a medical technology viewpoint, to (2) characterize the acceptance of such a device as support tool using the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and to (3) identify further steps towards integration of such technologies.
Results:
According to the results, a visual representation of the current mask leakage and tidal volume is an essential feature. Integrating alarms in visual rather than audible form when limit values are exceeded is preferable. In contrast, medical professionals ranked an external control using a foot pedal as the least necessary feature. Based on the findings, acceptance constructs of the neonatal ventilation technology were moderately scored. Perceived usefulness (β=0.76, p<0.001) was the main predictor of the behavioral intention to use such a supportive instrument.
Conclusions:
There is an evident willingness to integrate sophisticated support techniques into a neonatal ventilation device for immediate newborn care.
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