Reduction of hospital stay at maternity unit: an evaluation of the impact on maternal and neonatal readmission

In June 2015, the Belgian federal minister of public health imposed a reduction of 1 day in hospital stay at the maternity unit. This retrospective cohort study evaluated data of all patients who delivered between January 01 2010 and November 30 2015. Neonatal readmissions during the first 28 days postpartum and maternal readmissions during the first 6 weeks postpartum were studied. In total, 6009 births were included. The neonatal readmissions significantly increased (4.8% versus 6.9%, p value = .04) after June 2015. There was no significant difference in maternal readmissions between groups. In conclusion, hospital stay reduction at the maternity unit was linked with an increase of neonatal readmissions in the first 28 days postpartum, but did not have an effect on the maternal readmissions.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Many studies have evaluated the impact of early discharge on maternal and neonatal morbidity since 1950. Nevertheless, there are still concerns regarding the advantages and inconveniences of this policy. This retrospective cohort study took place in a tertiary referral centre in Belgium (CHU Tivoli) and evaluated data of all patients who delivered between January 01 2010 and November 30 2015. What the results of this study add? The readmissions for icterus increased significantly after the introduction of the reduced stay. There was no significant difference in maternal readmissions between groups. What are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? A shorter hospital may be linked with an increase of neonatal readmissions in the first 28 days postpartum, but does not seem to have an effect on the maternal readmissions. Further prospective studies are needed in order to validate this hypothesis and also elucidate the reasons leading to a higher neonatal readmission rate.