Readmissions among NICU graduates: Who, when and why?

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

87.3K

Kathleen E Hannan1, Sunah S Hwang1, Stephanie L Bourque1

  • 1Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Neonatology MS 8402, 13121 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, United States.

Seminars in Perinatology
|April 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Readmission is a significant risk for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates, particularly preterm infants. This review examines risk factors and proposes strategies to improve post-discharge care and reduce infant rehospitalizations.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Healthcare
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates, especially preterm infants, face high readmission rates.
  • Infant readmissions pose significant health risks beyond the neonatal period.
  • Reducing readmissions is crucial for improving long-term outcomes in vulnerable infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review risk factors associated with readmission in NICU graduates.
  • To identify common reasons for infant rehospitalization after NICU discharge.
  • To explore strategies for enhancing the transition from hospital to home to minimize readmissions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on NICU graduate readmissions.
  • Analysis of risk factors and causes of rehospitalization.
  • Synthesis of evidence on post-discharge care interventions.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants are at a higher risk of readmission.
  • Common readmission reasons include infections, respiratory issues, and feeding difficulties.
  • Effective discharge planning and home support are critical.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing modifiable risk factors can decrease infant readmissions.
  • Improved transitional care programs are essential for NICU graduates.
  • Reducing readmission rates enhances the long-term health and well-being of high-risk infants.

More Related Videos

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

20.7K
Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

444

Related Concept Videos

Planning Nursing Care I01:21

Planning 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...
5.4K
Current Trends in Nursing I01:28

Current Trends in Nursing I

Current trends in nursing include:
5.2K
Types of Records II: Educational and Administrative Records01:18

Types of Records II: Educational and Administrative Records

Maintaining nurses' educational and administrative records in healthcare settings, including hospitals and nursing schools, is paramount. Here's a breakdown of the types of academic records mentioned:
954
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics 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...
150
Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions01:29

Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions

Creating and executing a nursing diagnosis helps nurses plan care and guide patient, family, and community interventions. They are developed based on a patient's physical evaluation and support measuring the outcomes. It is not recommended to select random interventions throughout the planning process. Instead, consider the following six essential factors when choosing interventions:
2.9K
Types of Records I: Unit and Nurses Records01:27

Types of Records I: Unit and Nurses Records

 Unit records in healthcare settings document the patient's treatment history, including interventions, medications, diagnostic and laboratory results, progress notes, personal care needs, vital signs, and other medical information. They are crucial for managing patient care, aiding healthcare professionals in providing quality treatment and informed decision-making.
Unit records can be divided into two main types: administrative records and clinical records.
Administrative records in...
1.6K