title: Early hospital discharge in maternal and newborn care.
abstract: This article highlights the historic precedence of early discharge practices and the debate regarding length of stay for new mothers and newborns in the United States. Although the documented effects of early discharge on maternal and newborn health are inconsistent, research findings universally support follow-up care for mothers and infants within 1 week of hospital discharge. Research is needed to identify the components and timing of follow-up care to optimize maternal and newborn outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Alvernia University, Reading, PA, USA. anne.fink@alvernia.edu
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000639:trends*; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States