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Our research approach

The Laerdal Strategic Research team is a diverse and experienced group specializing in research, development, and international collaboration. We connect science and technology to real-world impact by building ethical partnerships that advance lifesaving solutions.

Making an Impact

We focus on scaling lifesaving impact by supporting lifesavers through better training, equipment, and systems.

Our Guiding Principles

  • Partnerships: We cultivate long-term relationships with our collaborators.
  • Enabling Technologies: We advance technologies that support better research and facilitate early intervention.
  • Collaborative Projects: We co-create public-private initiatives that transform innovation into measurable impact.

Building on Legacy

By generating evidence and supporting evidence-based solutions, we directly support Laerdal’s overarching strategy and the One Million Lives goal. Building on a robust legacy of global collaborations -

including Safer Births, the Global Resuscitation Alliance, CPR LifeLinks, and Sammen redder vi liv - we continue to enable solutions that make lifesaving more effective and sustainable.

Furthermore, this work has produced more than 200 co-authored academic publications and 40 PhD projects.

Let's work together
Our research publications

We focus on improving outcomes in time-critical moments across childbirth, neonatal care, and emergency response.

  • Respectful maternal care and the WHO Labour Care Guide
    A positive birth experience stimulates release of natural oxytocin, leading to stronger uterine contractions which promotes natural birth and reduces the need for interventions. The WHO Labour Care Guide (LCG) promotes a more patient-centered approach emphasizing support and communication during childbirth. Implementation studies have reported less use of oxytocin augmentation, fewer cesarean sections (C-sections), less bleeding, less infection and improved neonatal outcomes when LCG is used.
  • Shortening time from decision to delivery when 2nd stage intervention is indicated
    Indications for intervention include maternal exhaustion, prolonged labour, and fetal distress. Newborn mortality at 24 hours and 7 days is highly associated with abnormal or undetected fetal heart rate (FHR). A second stage lasting >1 h has a 3x higher risk of adverse outcomes; when combined with abnormal FHR, the risk increases 6x. Reducing the decision-to-delivery time to < 1 h can save 8 newborn lives per 1,000 births.
  • Reducing unnecessary C-sections to prevent maternal mortality due to bleeding and infections
    Increasing the use of vacuum assisted birth to 5%, with a similar reduction in C-sections, can reduce maternal mortality by 46 per 100,000 births. Secondary benefits are fewer complications in subsequent pregnancies, less use of hospital resources, and lower costs for mothers and families.
  • Immediate KMC and supporting birth transition with an intact cord
    Intact cord stabilization, delayed cord clamping, and immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) offer significant, complementary benefits for both mother and newborn by supporting the natural transition to extrauterine life and promoting bonding. Immediate KMC can save 3-4 lives per 1,000 births.
  • Ensuring >80% oxygen saturation at 5 min of life to reduce mortality from preterm birth
    Mortality is 3x higher when oxygenation targets are not met. New knowledge about oxygenation need is emerging among term babies with fluid-filled lungs and those stabilized with an intact cord.
  • Improving team performance and safety around birth
    Compensation claims for birth-related injury totaled 119M NOK in Norway in 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), birth injuries occur in about 7 per 1,000 babies born in the United States, with compensation claims averaging USD 1M per case.
  • Reducing time from unconsciousness to calling for help (OHCA)
    Calling for help just 1 minute earlier can save 10 lives per million population.
  • Providing early first aid advice and timely access to healthcare
    Early interventions save lives: Prehospital tourniquet use saves 8 lives per million population. Antibiotics within 3h reduce mortality from sepsis by 13 per million population. Thrombolysis delivered 13 min earlier saves 15 lives per million population from stroke. Telephone CPR instructions for suspected OHCA save 25 lives per million population.
Interested in our work or potential collaboration? Contact us ->
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