RT Journal Article
T1 Impact of an Early Discharge Hospital-at-Home Program on Length of Stay and Clinical Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Case-Control Study.
A1 García Ortega, María Ángeles
A1 García-Piñero, José Miguel
A1 Gómez-González, Alberto José
A1 Medina López, Rosana
A1 González García, Marta
A1 Montero-García, Antonio Jesús
A1 Morales-Gil, Isabel María
K1 Niños prematuros
K1 Enfermería neonatal
K1 Hospitalización a domicilio
K1 Lactancia materna
AB Background/Objectives: Prolonged hospitalization of clinically stable preterm infantsmay lead to nosocomial infections, interfere with breastfeeding, and hinder parent-infantbonding. We evaluated the impact of an early discharge program with hospital-at-home(HaH) on hospital stay and clinical outcomes among preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted in a tertiary neonatal unit (Spain). Fiftyinfants managed with HaH (2016–2020) were compared with ninety-six controls receivingconventional in-hospital care. Baseline characteristics, growth, and clinical events up to12 months were collected. Analyses included bivariate comparisons and multiple linearregression for length of stay, adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex, and parentalfactors. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Dischargeweight was lower in HaH infants (1865 vs. 2130 g; p < 0.001), but no differences wereobserved at 6 or 12 months. Length of stay was shorter in HaH infants (26.3 vs. 33.8 days;p = 0.081), and the multivariable model showed an independent 5.5-day reduction (β −5.53;95% CI −10.96 to −0.11; p = 0.046). Exclusive breastfeeding was more frequent (74% vs.59%; p = 0.08) and significantly longer in HaH infants (141.9 vs. 81.1 days; p = 0.024). Noincreases were found in complications at discharge, emergency visits (28% vs. 32%; p = 0.7),or readmissions (18% vs. 31%; p = 0.2). Conclusions: Among clinically stable preterminfants, early discharge with HaH was associated with a shorter hospital stay and longerexclusive breastfeeding duration, without evidence of increased morbidity or healthcareuse; however, causal inference cannot be established due to the observational design. Thesefindings support the implementation of nurse-led HaH programs as a safe, family-centeredstrategy for neonatal care.
PB MDPI
YR 2025
FD 2025-11-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/44660
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/44660
LA eng
NO García-Ortega, M.Á.; García-Piñero, J.M.; Gómez-González, A.J.; Medina-López, R.; González -García, M.; Montero-García, A.J.; Morales-Gil, I.M. Impact of an Early Discharge Hospital-at-Home Program on Length of Stay and Clinical Outcomes in Preterm Infants: A Case–Control Study. Children 2025, 12, 1504. https://doi.org/10.3390/ children12111504
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 2 mar 2026