Champlain Maternal Newborn Regional Program

Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACoRN) Provider workshop.

ACoRN is a ‘logical, system-based approach to gathering and organizing clinical information, establishing priorities, and intervening appropriately for infants who are unwell, or at risk for becoming unwell, in the first few hours or days post-birth’ (ACoRN, 2021, p. 26).  

Day 1: Review the concepts, process and content of the ACoRN program, highlighting 2^nd edition updates and resources (Textbook, Essential Guide and Laminates). Didactic and simulation-based learning strategies will be used. Learners will participate in simulation-based scenarios and debriefing sessions.

Day 2: Building on Day 1, learners will be given opportunities to solidify ACoRN knowledge and concepts by participating in additional and more comprehensive simulation-based scenarios and debriefing sessions.   

PREREQUISITES: Participants who, as part of their professional role, are expected to identify or care for at-risk or unwell infants are welcome to attend as long as the following CPS ACoRN registration guidelines are met:  

• Be a licensed or regulated healthcare professional, or student of same and;
• Provide proof of current CPS NRP Provider, Instructor or Instructor Trainer status (Lessons 1-11 and Advanced ISSA),

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the workshop, participants will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and content of ACoRN.
• Describe how the ACoRN Process and its various components are used to conduct a systematic evaluation of and organize care for at-risk or unwell newborns.
• Identify ACoRN tools and resources that facilitate the care of at-risk or unwell newborns.
• Develop working diagnoses and initiate treatments for specific neonatal conditions.
• Describe the types of support that may be required for the infant, the family and the health care team.
• Identify and prepare infants for transport to a referral facility.
• Utilize the ACoRN Process during a simulation-based learning opportunity to provide care for an at-risk or unwell infant.

PREPARATION: Mandatory preparation for the workshop includes review of the ACoRN Essential Guide and ACoRN laminates as well as successful completion of the online ACoRN exam; the ACoRN textbook (2nd edition, 2021) should be available to all teams who register but is not a mandatory resource. 

Participants must successfully complete the online examination (if not completed within 12 months of the course) and submit the ‘Online Examination Certificate’ prior to the workshop.