Improving Post-Discharge Care for “Preemies”

One in eight babies in the U.S. is born early. Even after they leave the hospital, many of these premature infants face ongoing health problems. A new program aims to help health care professionals improve care for “preemies” once they’re back home.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

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Durham, N.C. -- Doctors are saving more premature infants, at younger ages, than ever before. But these “preemies” often have serious ongoing health problems after they come home from the hospital. Dr. Ricki Goldstein, a neonatologist and director of the Special Infant Care Clinic at Duke University Medical Center, heads an educational program to help improve post-discharge care for these tiniest patients. “Most of the problems they leave with, if properly taken care of, can resolve over the first year of life. These babies are medically fragile and at high risk of needing to be re-hospitalized and of having developmental problems if they don’t get proper early-intervention services.” The program, supported by a grant from The Duke Endowment, provides training for pediatricians and other community child-care providers, including therapists, social workers, nutritionists and other specialists. “We really try to emphasize how important they are, not just in providing the therapy they specifically were trained to do but also overall in helping look out for these kids.” I’m Cabell Smith for MedMinute.