Parents' compliance with specific medical instructions in newborn discharge letters

Michael S. Schimmel, Netanel Wasserteil, Zvi H. Perry, Matti Erlichman

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    4 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Due to decreased hospital stay, follow-up of unresolved medical problems of babies with uncomplicated postpartumcourse is relegated to outpatient clinics. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors in discharge letters that influence parent compliance. METHODS: Telephone contact with parents three months after discharge queried compliance with routine and special instructions as written in discharge letters. Statistical analyses compared responses of compliant versus less compliant parents. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The present study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Board Committee. RESULTS: Of the 2000 discharge letters, 319 (16%) included special instructions. Parents of 252 infants (79%) who received discharge letters containing 332 special instructions were interviewed by telephone. Compliance was greater for noninvasive instructions (86%) relative to others (57.8%) (P<0.001). Initiation of follow-up visits was correlated with parity (P<0.001) and maternal age (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Discharge letters should be read and discussed with parents before infants are discharged, and the relevance of specific medical instructions should be emphasized.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)649-653
    Number of pages5
    JournalPaediatrics and Child Health
    Volume15
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 Jan 2010

    Keywords

    • Discharge
    • Follow-up study
    • Health care survey
    • Health information
    • Newborn

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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