Impact of newborn follow-up visit timing on subsequent ED visits and hospital readmissions: an instrumental variable analysis.

Objective: To determine whether newborn first outpatient visit (FOV) within 3 days of discharge is associated with reduced rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospital readmissions.

Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis was performed of all newborns who were born and had outpatient follow-up within a large academic medical center to determine whether they had ED visits or hospital readmission within 2 weeks after hospital discharge. Multivariable regression using an instrumental variable for timing of FOV was conducted to estimate the relationship between FOV within 3 days of discharge and ED visits and hospital readmissions within 2 weeks of discharge, adjusting for potential confounders.

Factors associated with timing of first outpatient visit after newborn hospital discharge.

Objective: To determine factors associated with newborns having their first outpatient visit (FOV) beyond 3 days after postpartum hospital discharge.

Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of all newborns born at a large urban university hospital during a 1-year period, discharged home within 96 hours of birth, and with an outpatient visit with an affiliated provider within 60 days after discharge.

Results: Of 3282 newborns, 1440 (44%) had their FOV beyond 3 days after discharge.