Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
19:15
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Adherence to discharge guidelines for late-preterm newborns
Neera K Goyal1, Corinne Fager, Scott A Lorch
1Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Dr, 1310 Blockley Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. goyaln@email.chop.edu
Pediatrics
|June 22, 2011
Summary
Early discharge for late-preterm newborns decreased in the late 1990s but remains common. Hospital characteristics and state influence early discharge decisions, necessitating further safety research.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric hospital discharge practices
- Public health policy
Background:
- Late-preterm newborns (34-36 weeks gestation) have unique care needs.
- Early discharge practices for these infants may pose risks.
- Adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for early discharge is variable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in early discharge of late-preterm infants.
- To investigate the relationship between hospital characteristics and early discharge rates.
- To identify factors associated with deviations from AAP recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Population-based cohort study utilizing birth certificate and hospital discharge data.
- Inclusion of 282,601 late-preterm newborns across 611 hospitals in California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania (1993-2005).
- Logistic regression analysis to assess associations between early discharge and hospital/patient factors, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Early discharge rates declined from 71% (1995) to 40% (2000) but remained at 39% in 2005.
- California and Missouri showed higher odds of early discharge compared to Pennsylvania.
- Nonteaching hospitals were more likely to discharge uninsured or HMO-enrolled infants early.
Conclusions:
- Early discharge of late-preterm newborns persists despite a past decline.
- Significant variations in early discharge exist based on state, hospital teaching status, and insurance type.
- Further research is crucial to determine the safety and appropriateness of early discharge for this vulnerable infant population.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Discharge Summary Forms
The discharge summary is crucial as it enables a smooth transition from a healthcare facility to a patient's home or another care setting. This critical document facilitates seamless continuity of care, ensuring patients receive the necessary support and attention.
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
01:10Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the patient.
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
01:26Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II
Effective documentation is an integral part of nursing practice. Here are some essential guidelines to follow when documenting patient care:
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
01:06Legal Guidelines for Documentation
The legal guidelines for nursing documentation are essential for ensuring accurate, professional, and ethical recording of patient care. The guidelines are discussed here:
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
The planning phase of the nursing process helps nurses set priorities, outline patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and tailor nursing interventions to align with the aligned care plan. Through the planning phase, the nurse applies critical thinking skills to align and develop interventions according to the patient's needs. It provides continuity of care allowing patients to receive the maximum benefit from treatment. It serves as a pilot plan for allocating individual staff to a...