Implications of a Reduced Length of Postpartum Hospital Stay on Maternal and Neonatal Readmissions, an Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing the Length Of postpartum Stay (LOS) is associated with lower hospital costs, a major reason for initiating federal projects in Belgium. Disadvantages following the reduction of LOS are the risks of maternal and neonatal readmissions. This study compares readmissions with or without reduced LOS, by introducing the KOZI&Home program in the university hospital Brussels. METHODS: This is an observational study comparing the readmission rates of the length of postpartum hospital stay between two groups: the non-KOZI&Home group (> 2 days for vaginal birth and > 4 days for caesarean section) and KOZI&Home group (≤ 2 days for vaginal birth and ≤ 4 days for caesarean section). A follow-up period of 16 weeks was set up. RESULTS: The maternal readmission rate was 4,8% for the non-KOZI&Home group (n = 332) and 3.3% for the KOZI&Home group (n = 253). Neonatal readmission rates were 7.2% and 15.9% respectively. After controlling influencing factors in a multivariate model for maternal and neonatal readmissions, there were no statistical significant differences. Factors negatively affecting neonatal readmissions are (1) dismissal period October-January (OR:3.22;95% CI 1.10-9.42) and (2) low education level (OR:3.44;95% CI 1.54-7.67), for maternal readmissions it concerns whether or not LOS is known (OR:3.26;95% CI 1.21-8.81). DISCUSSION: There is no effect of the KOZI&Home program on maternal nor neonatal readmission rates. Systematically informing about postpartum LOS antenatally will enforce preparation and is important to reduce maternal readmissions. Personalized information should be given to women discharged in the period October-January and to those with a lower education level, in order to reduce neonatal readmissions.

What is already known on this subject? Reducing the 'length of stay' after giving birth is known, for example, to reduce costs and for having a more family-centered approach. Above the known advantages, there is also some conflicting literature about the disadvantages. Some of the articles shown a higer readmission rate, and others no difference in readmission rates.What this study adds? The influencing factors of maternal and neonatal readmissions are checked, in order to reduce the number of readmissions in the future. Systematically informing about postpartum LOS antenatally will enforce preparation and is important to reduce maternal readmissions. Personalized information should be given to women discharged in the period October-January and to those with a lower education level, in order to reduce neonatal readmissions.

Maternal satisfaction with reduced postnatal length of stay in Brussels: evidence from the KOZI&Home program.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the length of stay (LOS) after childbirth is a trend, including cost savings, a more family-centered approach and lower risk for nosocomial infection. Evaluating the impact of reduced LOS is important to improve the outcomes of care, which include maternal satisfaction. The aim of this study was to compare the maternal satisfaction, before and after the reduced LOS. METHODS: This study was conducted in the University Hospital Brussels, before and after implementing the KOZI&Home program (intervention). This KOZI&Home program consisted of a reduced length of stay of at least one day for both vaginal delivery and caesarean section. It also included three extra antenatal visits with the midwife, preparing for discharge and postnatal home care by an independent midwife. Women completed a questionnaire, including the Maternity Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and Home Satisfaction Questionnaire (HSQ), respectively at discharge and two weeks postpartum. Satisfaction was split into five dimensions: 'Midwives time investment', 'Provision of information', 'Physical environment', 'Privacy' and 'Readiness for discharge'. A combination of forward and backward model selection (both directions) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In total, 585 women were included in this study. 332 women in the non-intervention group and 253 women in the intervention group. Satisfaction with 'provision of information' at home had a higher mean score of 4.47/5 in the intervention group versus 4.08/5 in the non-intervention group (p < 0.001). Women in the KOZI&Home group were more satisfied regarding 'privacy at home' (mean 4.74/5 versus 4.48/5) (p < 0.001) and 'readiness for discharge' (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The intervention was associated with a higher score in some of dimensions of satisfaction. Our study concludes that this integrated care program is acceptable for postpartum women and associated with some favourable outcomes.