Understanding newborn infant readmission: Findings of the Ontario mother and infant survey

The Ontario Mother and Infant Survey examined health and social service uti lization of postpartum women and newborn infants from five hospital sites. A cross-sectional multilanguage survey design with longitudinal follow-up w as used: 1,250 eligible, consenting women completed a self-report questionn aire in hospital and 875 women participated in a structured telephone inter view at Four weeks post-discharge. Rates of newborn infant readmission rang ed from 2.4% to 6.7%. The best predictors of readmission were: main source of household income was other than employment; maternal self-rating of heal th was poor; mother anticipated inadequate help and support at home followi ng discharge; mother received help from friends/neighbours following discha rge; and mother had concern about infant care and behaviour. Readmission wa s not associated with length of postpartum hospital stay. The study finding s suggest that there a complex relationship between infant health care need s, Family resources and provider practices that produces clinically importa nt, site-specific readmission patterns.