title: Discharge planning and home care for low-birth-weight infants.
abstract: This article presents a review of discharge planning and home follow-up for low-birth-weight infants. The scope of the problem of low birth weight and postdischarge health status of low-birth-weight infants are presented in overview. Discharge planning and home care are detailed for healthy low-birth-weight infants and for low-birth-weight infants requiring various levels of technologic support in the home. Emphasis is on comprehensive discharge planning and home follow-up to facilitate continuity and quality of postdischarge care. Nursing's role is critical to the discharge planning and the postdischarge care process.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gennaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakewell-Sachs
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010351:Patient Discharge