Video Conference Discharge Process for NICU Infants with Medical Complexity

Abstract

Purpose:Discharging infants from the NICU is complex, requiring the coordination of multiple aspects of care. Patient follow-up includes transferring medical care to primary care providers (PCP) who initially may have to rely on parents/caregivers for details about the child’s history and current needs. Improving communication between the NICU and primary care offices within this pediatric health system was a goal of the organization, especially as value-based care was launched.Design:A pilot program was introduced in which families, PCP, and NICU providers for medically complex infants were offered the opportunity to participate in video conference calls.Sample:Infants selected for this pilot were those discharging from a Level IV NICU for the first time with medical complexity, such as those who would require care from multiple specialists, those with nasogastric feeding tubes, gastrostomy feeding tubes, and/or requiring oxygen post-discharge. The agenda during calls consisted of a review of the infant’s birth, NICU course, and post-discharge needs. Participants were encouraged to provide detail and ask clarifying questions.Main Outcome Variable:Outcomes of this project included the evaluation of satisfaction with newer phone call methods for all participants and tracking readmission rates for those infants whose families experienced the video conference call.Results:High satisfaction levels were recorded among stakeholders as evidenced by 77 percent of parents and NICU providers being “very satisfied” or “completely satisfied” and 96 percent of primary care physicians being “very satisfied” or “completely satisfied.” The rate of 30-day readmission for those who participated in the pilot was 23 percent and those readmissions were not unexpected.Conclusion:Involving families and accepting primary care physicians into the discharge communication are satisfying to stakeholders and allow participants the opportunity to have bidirectional conversations regarding the unique care needs of infants discharged from the NICU with special needs.