PURPOSE: To describe characteristics and care outcomes in a
pediatric post-acute rehabilitation hospital for infants with Neonatal
Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were combined for 43 infants
accounting for 46 admissions over a two-year period with a diagnosis of NAS
and a goal of weaning from treatment medications.
RESULTS: Mean age at admission for the total sample was 21 days.
One hundred percent of the infants were weaned from treatment medications at
discharge and all infants were discharged to a home setting. Mean length of
stay in post-acute care was 24 days (SD = 12.80; range = 4-70 days) while
the mean cost of admissions was $27,904. Ninety-one percent had a public
payer. Post-acute care clinical outcomes were excellent.
CONCLUSION: Post-acute care for infants with NAS could be an
effective way to free NICU beds and reduce hospital costs for this
population of infants.
