NeoHERO's™ importance stems from two core issues that affect a newborn's chances of survival and recovery outside of a hospital:

1. Lack of Specialized Training

While EMS and fire personnel in South Carolina are required to have certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), and often Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification is not a state-mandated requirement for pre-hospital providers in the same way it is for hospital staff.

• Distinct Needs: Neonatal resuscitation is fundamentally different from adult and pediatric resuscitation due to the unique physiology of a newborn transitioning to life outside the womb.

• A Quarter of Deaths: Globally, approximately a quarter of all neonatal deaths are caused by birth asphyxia (oxygen deprivation). For the 10% of newborns who require assistance to breathe at birth, the correct interventions in the first minute of life are critical to prevent brain injury and death.

• Gaps in Competency: Studies show that EMS providers often lack specific neonatal resuscitation training or that their knowledge and skills decay over time. Without specialized training like the AAP's NRP, providers may not be prepared to perform life-saving steps like providing effective positive-pressure ventilation at the correct rate and volume for a neonate.

• NeoHERO's™ Solution: NeoHERO's™ mission is to provide the expert guidance, resources, and education, including the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), to ensure first responders have the specific skills needed during an emergency.

2. Lack of Neonatal-Specific Equipment

The issue is not just training but also the tools of the trade. An adult or even a standard pediatric resuscitation kit often lacks the equipment sized appropriately for a tiny newborn.

• Size Matters: The smallest resuscitation masks, bag-valve-masks (BVMs), intubation tubes, and other airway equipment needed for a neonate are significantly smaller than what is standard for other patients.

• Risk of Harm: Using equipment that is too large or adapting existing adult/pediatric equipment can lead to ineffective ventilation or even cause injury to the fragile newborn lungs.

• NeoHERO's™ Solution: NeoHERO provides the neonatal-sized equipment to EMS and fire agencies, ensuring that when an emergency happens, providers have the right tools ready to implement the skills learned in their training.

By supplying both the certified training and the specialized equipment, NeoHERO™ directly addresses the shortcomings in public funding and mandates, acting as a crucial bridge to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable patients in pre-hospital emergencies.