Compromised Infant Pathway

Abstract

Early discharge of very low birth weight infants has been shown to have positive outcomes when a specialized home care team is involved. The development of the compromised infant pathway started from a need for earlier discharges from the neonatal intensive care unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During a state survey in 1997, a suggestion was offered to create a more consistent care-planning process for these early discharge infants. Revisions were made during the following year to be more in compliance with state and federal standards. Nursing needs are determined at time of referral, as well as therapy needs. Infants that need rehabilitation only are still admitted under the compromised infant pathway. The case study illustrated such an infant, who required ongoing therapy services with intermittent skilled nursing. Since the implementation of the pathway, the referral sources are satisfied the infants are being smoothly transitioned to outpatient services.