Hospital-based nursing response to perinatal drug exposure

This study examined hospital-based nursing interventions used for the problem of drug exposure in newborns and their mothers. Although there are few published reports of treatment services for this at-risk population, there is a consensus among health care providers on the need for treatment and the type of services that a treatment program should offer. A questionnaire measured use of assessment tools for newborn drug exposure and maternal drug use, patterns of referral, and use of aftercare and community treatment programs. The mean number of policies was 2.5, and the mean number of services offered was 1.042, consisting mostly of referral to community programs after discharge. Results can be used to develop quality assurance programs to address this issue and provide a more comprehensive response to the problem.