A randomized trial of early hospital discharge and home follow-up of women having cesarean birth Article

Brooten, D, Roncoli, M, Finkler, S et al. (1994). A randomized trial of early hospital discharge and home follow-up of women having cesarean birth . Obstetrics and Gynecology, 84(5), 832-838.

cited authors

  • Brooten, D; Roncoli, M; Finkler, S; Arnold, L; Cohen, A; Mennuti, M

abstract

  • Objective: To determine the safety, efficacy, and cost savings of early hospital discharge of women delivered by unplanned cesarean delivery. Methods: Using randomized assignment, 61 postpartum women were discharged from the hospital at the usual time, and 61 were discharged early and had nurse specialist home follow-up care. The latter group received comprehensive discharge planning, instruction, counseling, home visits, and daily on-call availability from the nurse specialists. Both groups were followed from delivery to 8 weeks postpartum. Results: Women who were discharged early and received transitional home care services by clinical nurse specialists were sent home a mean of 30.3 hours earlier than the control group (P < .001). They had significantly greater satisfaction with care, more of their infants had timely immunizations at the end of follow-up, and they had a 29% reduction in health care charges compared to the control group receiving routine care. Although there were no statistically significant differences in maternal and infant rehospitalizations and acute-care visits, there were more maternal rehospitalizations in the control group than in the nurse specialist-followed group (three versus zero). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the outcomes of maternal affect and overall functional status. Conclusion: Early hospital discharge of women after unplanned cesarean birth, using the model of nurse specialist transitional home care, is safe, feasible, and cost-effective. © 1994 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

authors

publication date

  • January 1, 1994

published in

start page

  • 832

end page

  • 838

volume

  • 84

issue

  • 5