Assessing infant and maternal readiness for newborn discharge

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Maternal-infant health
• Healthcare policy

Background:

• The Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996 mandated minimum lengths of stay (LOS) for newborns and mothers.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics 2015 policy shifted focus from LOS to readiness-based discharge decisions for healthy term newborns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the transition from prescribed length of stay (LOS) to mother-infant dyad readiness for newborn discharge decisions.
• To outline the key components of readiness, including infant clinical readiness, maternal, and familial factors.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and policy statements regarding newborn discharge criteria.
• Identification and description of essential elements for assessing infant and maternal readiness for discharge.

Main Results:

• Infant clinical readiness criteria include feeding establishment, jaundice risk, vaccinations, metabolic screening, hearing tests, sepsis risk assessment, congenital heart disease screening, and parental knowledge.
• Maternal readiness involves sociodemographic factors, confidence, perception of readiness, and availability of postdischarge support.

Conclusions:

• Newborn discharge timing should be a collaborative decision between mother and healthcare providers, based on dyad readiness.
• Consideration of infant and maternal health, maternal perception, and social/familial support is crucial.
• Accessible postdischarge support is vital for optimal infant health outcomes.