Comparison of health care utilization of postnatal programs in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the utilization of health care services, based on number of outpatient visits and readmissions, by mothers and newborns following discharge postnatally after having received various types of maternity care.


METHODS
The design was a cohort of Swedish women giving birth at full term. All together, 773 women and 782 newborns were followed using questionnaires, registry data, and medical chart notes. The information served as a basis for analyzing utilization of health care services during the first 28 days post-delivery.


RESULTS
Of the women, 15% sought medical care and 1.7% were readmitted, whereas 17% of the newborns received medical care and 2.9% were readmitted. At 6 months, about half were exclusively being breastfed. There was no difference in need to seek health care or breastfeeding outcome owing to type of maternity care.


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers with newborns sought care relatively frequently but rarely needed to be readmitted after discharge from the maternity care. The risk of readmission during the first month after childbirth was not greater for mothers and children who received care through the family suite or early discharge programs.
Ellberg
L
L
Kvinnokliniken Norrlands Universitetssjukhus, S-90185 Umea, Sweden. lotta.ellberg@vll.se
Lundman
B
B
Persson
M E K
ME
Hogberg
U
U
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012042:Registries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013548:Sweden; D047929:Term Birth