which
many clinicians consider a minimum of 15 to 30 g/d over
several days. Infants also need to demonstrate adequate temperature
stability in open cribs, physiological and cardiopulmonary
maturity including during feedings for a sufficient
duration of time. The psychosocial, education, and financial
resources of the parents highly influence at-risk infant outcomes.
Pre-discharge referrals to resources for health insurance,
community services, social surveillance, or alternative
placement programs need to be established and documented.
Many at-risk infants are discharged on numerous medications,
oxygen, special diets, that can be overwhelming to caregivers
who lack support systems in the home. Post discharge these
fragile patients should be monitored closely by pediatricians,
specialists and HREF to assess problems and intervene in a
timely manner.