Postdischarge Service Use by Families of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduates

Abstract

This study examined patterns and predictors of service use by families of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates, specifically premature infants. Different variables predicted the use of each individual service. Enabling variables (e.g., contacts originated in the NICU, services the follow-up clinic coordinated) and parents' perceptions of a child's problems (e.g., health concerns) were major predictors of service use in logistic regression models. No demographic characteristics (e.g., parental education levels, ethnicity) predicted service use.