title: Postpartum triage, services provided, and length of stay for infants born at 35 weeks gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to (1) compare the care setting to which 35-week infants are initially triaged postpartum to the level of services subsequently provided; and (2) identify factors known at delivery or immediately postpartum associated with services received and length of stay during the birth hospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this multicenter retrospective study of 35-week infants born between 2007 and 2008, service capabilities of the initial postpartum care setting were categorized as level 1 or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) using American Academy of Pediatrics definitions. Subsequent services actually provided were categorized as routine care, level 1, or >level 1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over half of 431 studied infants were sent to a level 1 nursery postpartum. Of these, over 90% ultimately received routine care or level 1 services. Of 200 infants triaged to a NICU, the majority received only routine care or level 1 services. The great majority of infants requiring > level 1 services were identified promptly postpartum. Initial triage to the NICU was associated with significantly (p < 0.05) increased length of stay despite provision of similar services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests a need for improved triage of 35-week infants and provides tools for this purpose. Validation of the models presented here is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut.
authors.forename: James I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Hagadorn
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Saritha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salikooti
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Mariann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pappagallo
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arias-Camison
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alba
authors.affiliation: Divison of Neonatology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Herson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000145:classification*; D012189:Retrospective Studies