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  • Original Article
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Maturational, comorbid, maternal and discharge domain impact on preterm rehospitalizations: a comparison of planned and unplanned rehospitalizations

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the predictive value of (1) maternal, (2) maturational, (3) comorbid and (4) discharge domains associated with preterm infant rehospitalization.

Study Design:

Retrospective, cohort study of preterm infants discharged home from a level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Rates of unplanned and planned 6-month readmissions were assessed. The four domains were modeled incrementally and separately to predict relative and combined contributions to the readmission risk.

Result:

Out of 504 infants, 5% had 30-day readmissions (22 unplanned, three planned). By 6 months, 13% were rehospitalized (52 unplanned, 15 planned). Sixty-seven infants had 96 readmission events with 30% of readmission events elective. The four domains together predicted 78% of total 1-month, all 6-month and unplanned 6-month readmissions. Discharge complexity was as predictive as comorbidity in all models.

Conclusion:

These four-domain models were more predictive than single domains. Many total readmission events were planned, suggesting parsing planned and unplanned rehospitalizations may benefit quality-improvement efforts.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Sergio Golombek, MD, MPH, Joshua C Brumberg, PhD and Stephan Brumberg, EdD for helpful discussions and comments on the manuscript. We also thank Yin Tong, BS, Janine Lebofwsky, BS and Sumith Roy, MD for assistance with data collection.

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Correspondence to H L Brumberg.

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Schell, S., Kase, J., Parvez, B. et al. Maturational, comorbid, maternal and discharge domain impact on preterm rehospitalizations: a comparison of planned and unplanned rehospitalizations. J Perinatol 36, 317–324 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.194

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