Nordic survey showed wide variation in discharge practices for very preterm infants
(2024) In Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics 113(1). p.48-55- Abstract
Aim: We aimed to describe clinical practices and criteria for discharge of very preterm infants in Nordic neonatal units. Methods: Medical directors of all 89 level-2 and level-3 units in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden were invited by e-mail to complete a web-based multiple-choice survey with the option to make additional free-text comments. Results: We received responses from 83/89 units (93%). In all responding units, discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment with varying criteria. In addition, 36% used formal tests of cardiorespiratory stability and 59% used criteria related to infant weight or growth. For discharge with feeding tube, parental ability to speak the national language or English was... (More)
Aim: We aimed to describe clinical practices and criteria for discharge of very preterm infants in Nordic neonatal units. Methods: Medical directors of all 89 level-2 and level-3 units in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden were invited by e-mail to complete a web-based multiple-choice survey with the option to make additional free-text comments. Results: We received responses from 83/89 units (93%). In all responding units, discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment with varying criteria. In addition, 36% used formal tests of cardiorespiratory stability and 59% used criteria related to infant weight or growth. For discharge with feeding tube, parental ability to speak the national language or English was mandatory in 45% of units, with large variation among countries. Post-discharge home visits and video-consultations were provided by 59% and 51%, respectively. In 54% of units, parental preparation for discharge were not initiated until the last two weeks of hospital stay. Conclusion: Discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment, with criteria varying among units despite similar population characteristics and care structures. This variation indicates a lack of evidence base and may unnecessarily delay discharge; further studies of this matter are needed. Earlier parental preparation and use of interpreters might facilitate earlier discharge.
(Less)
- author
- Arwehed, Sofia ; Axelin, Anna ; Björklund, Lars J. LU ; Thernström Blomqvist, Ylva ; Heiring, Christian ; Jonsson, Baldvin ; Klingenberg, Claus ; Metsäranta, Marjo ; Ågren, Johan and Lehtonen, Liisa
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- early discharge, length of stay, neonatal home care, preterm infant, telemedicine
- in
- Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
- volume
- 113
- issue
- 1
- pages
- 48 - 55
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37540833
- scopus:85167724395
- ISSN
- 0803-5253
- DOI
- 10.1111/apa.16934
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 17029e45-64b8-495d-93e3-a78d50cb9852
- date added to LUP
- 2023-11-13 14:58:53
- date last changed
- 2024-04-25 06:15:30
@article{17029e45-64b8-495d-93e3-a78d50cb9852,
abstract = {{<p>Aim: We aimed to describe clinical practices and criteria for discharge of very preterm infants in Nordic neonatal units. Methods: Medical directors of all 89 level-2 and level-3 units in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden were invited by e-mail to complete a web-based multiple-choice survey with the option to make additional free-text comments. Results: We received responses from 83/89 units (93%). In all responding units, discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment with varying criteria. In addition, 36% used formal tests of cardiorespiratory stability and 59% used criteria related to infant weight or growth. For discharge with feeding tube, parental ability to speak the national language or English was mandatory in 45% of units, with large variation among countries. Post-discharge home visits and video-consultations were provided by 59% and 51%, respectively. In 54% of units, parental preparation for discharge were not initiated until the last two weeks of hospital stay. Conclusion: Discharge readiness was based mainly on clinical assessment, with criteria varying among units despite similar population characteristics and care structures. This variation indicates a lack of evidence base and may unnecessarily delay discharge; further studies of this matter are needed. Earlier parental preparation and use of interpreters might facilitate earlier discharge.</p>}},
author = {{Arwehed, Sofia and Axelin, Anna and Björklund, Lars J. and Thernström Blomqvist, Ylva and Heiring, Christian and Jonsson, Baldvin and Klingenberg, Claus and Metsäranta, Marjo and Ågren, Johan and Lehtonen, Liisa}},
issn = {{0803-5253}},
keywords = {{early discharge; length of stay; neonatal home care; preterm infant; telemedicine}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
pages = {{48--55}},
publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
series = {{Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics}},
title = {{Nordic survey showed wide variation in discharge practices for very preterm infants}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apa.16934}},
doi = {{10.1111/apa.16934}},
volume = {{113}},
year = {{2024}},
}