Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Utilization Of Care By Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome In Delaware, Michele K. Savin, Msn, Nnp-Bc

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

From 1999-2013, the nationwide incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to maternal drug use rose from 1.5/1000 to 6/1000 hospital births. There is a dearth of information regarding what happens to these children when they are discharged. The purpose of this Practice Inquiry Project is to utilize existing Delaware Medicaid data to retrospectively explore the utilization of services and gaps in care for the infant with NAS in the first year of life. Key findings include less than expected well child visits and immunizations along with higher hospital re-admission rates. This represents missed opportunities for care, also demonstrating the …