Does your #nicu track readmission of your recently discharged babies? Like less than 2 weeks to 3 months after discharge?
As I have been working more in the peds hospitalist role outside of the NICU, I have seen many former NICU babies, especially preemies, readmitted to the hospital for failure to thrive now called “weight faltering.”
Along with infections.
And it made me wonder if NICUs across the country had a process for looking at readmissions and if there were any challenges for the families related to the discharge process and how that could be improved. Like education of families, ensuring follow-up.
I have had many families say that they felt in limbo between NICU discharge and going to their own pediatrician who may not be as comfortable with their challenges and often refer them back to the NICU, which is not a process. And not all NICU have NICU follow up etc.
One of my current patients was recently discharged and two weeks later readmitted with bacteremia. But also the mom was not giving the formula at the right calories and it made me wonder about the discharge teaching, etc. Are we asking parents to demonstrate how to mix the formula? Assessing true understanding?
We must always be looking at if the processes we are doing/not doing are efficient and effective and actually driving positive movement for the health and wellbeing of our little ones, especially those who start out with health challenges.
Would love to hear from #nicu managers, RNs, etc.
#nicu #readmission #patientcare #patientadvocacy #hospitalmedicine
