NEONATAL CASE-MANAGEMENT - A CHALLENGE FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES

With a presidential commitment to health care reform, advanced practice nurses (APNs) are challenged to rethink critical care for the growing number of premature infants born each year. Threats of shortened lengths of stay force APNs to case manage the long-term needs of compromised neonates in their homes and communities. Recent studies have shown that earlier discharge from neonatal intensive care units with proper home follow-up is not only cost saving, but is also safe and beneficial to the infant and family. Further documentation is required to ensure that quality outcomes are not compromised in health care reform.