The effect of discharge planning program on the re-admission of premature infants

Introduction: Being premature puts the infant at risk for neonatal complications and also provides the basis for other problems in adulthood. Parents need adequate training and time to acquire and learn information to acquire childcare skills. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of discharge planning on the readmission of premature infants hospitalized in Abadan University of Medical Sciences hospitals. Methods: 56 mothers of preterm infants referred to the hospitals of Abadan University of Medical Sciences were divided into two groups of intervention and control using random sampling. After describing the sample rights and obtaining their consent, the data were collected using questionnaires (demographic characteristics of mother and infant). The discharge plan was administered to the mothers of the experimental group (during two sessions, on the second day of admission and on the day of discharge, individually with practical training and face-to-face and booklet). Mothers in the control group received routine care in the ward. One month after discharge, neonatal readmission was followed up by telephone contact with parents. Results: There was no significant difference between demographic characteristics of mothers and neonates in the control and intervention groups based on the studied variables (p <0.05). The discharge plan reduced the readmission rate of premature infants in the intervention group (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Implementation of a discharge plan can reduce the readmission rate of premature infants by increasing the quality of neonatal care. Therefore, it is recommended that neonatal units, especially premature neonates with acute care and planned discharge training, be admitted from admission to hospital leave and afterward at home. Hospitals should also consider implementing and implementing a discharge plan training program.