Feasibility of Postpartum Rapid Hospital Discharge: A Study from a Community Hospital Population

Selman I. Welt; Judy S. Cole; Marian S. Myers; Dillard M. Sholes; Frederick R. Jelovsek

doi:10.1055/s-2007-994768

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1993; 10(5): 384-387
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994768

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Feasibility of Postpartum Rapid Hospital Discharge: A Study from a Community Hospital Population

Selman I. Welt, Judy S. Cole, Marian S. Myers, Dillard M. Sholes Jr. , Frederick R. Jelovsek

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Pediatrics, East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, Tennessee

Abstract

ABSTRACT

We have examined the safety and efficacy of an early postpartum discharge program in 289 patients who were identified prior to delivery and counseled and educated for discharge 12 to 36 hours after delivery. A total of 55% of the study patients were able to be discharged early. There were 4.3% significant maternal problems and 3% significant neonatal problems identified in the first 72 hours after delivery by a nurse practitioner home visit. Significant maternal problems after 72 hours (10%) and neonatal problems (5%) were also found by follow-up visits. The hospital readmission rate was 1.8%. These incidences are consistent with other studies in the literature and suggest that some type of early follow-up of both the mother and infant should routinely accompany early postpartum discharge programs.

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