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.
