Decreasing the Newborn Birth Hospitalization Length of Stay

Abstract

Objectives: To determine our ability to shorten birth hospitalization length of stay (LOS), which patient characteristics were associated with early discharge and effects on early newborn readmission rate. Study Design: Retrospective chart review of births, April 1 2020-December 31, 2020. Delivery mode and maternal and newborn characteristics were evaluated for effect on discharge timing. Hospital readmissions within 7 days of discharge were reviewed. Results: 845/1077 total live births were included in the study population. 589 (69.7%) of newborns were discharged early (<48 hours after vaginal delivery (VD) and <72 hours after cesarean delivery (CS)). Factors associated with early discharge included CS 79.8% (p<0.001), birth after 2pm 84% (p<0.001), no diagnosis of maternal diabetes 71.2% (p=0.02), and negative maternal COVID-19 70.6% (p=0.01). The overall 7 day readmission rate was 1.2% and 0.5% for newborns discharged early after VD. Conclusions: Most newborns can be discharged early without increasing newborn readmission.