Criteria related to newborns’ safe hospital discharge: An integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To identify the main criteria evidenced by the literature published on newborns’ hospital discharge. Method: This is an integrative literature review, carried out in December 2021 in the PubMed/Medline, BVS, Scopus and LILACS databases, using the “patient discharge summaries” OR “patient discharge” AND “newborn” descriptors. The study was based on PRISMA methodological procedures, eligibility criteria were adopted, and the inclusion criteria were as follows: articles available in full, published in the last 5 years in English, Spanish and Portuguese and dealing with newborn care, hospital discharge or neonatal patient discharge. All articles that did not meet the research objective and/or were not related to the topic under study were excluded. Results: Of the 94 articles identified between 2017 and 2021, 12 studies were included, most from Brazil and with a qualitative approach. Three thematic analysis categories were established: 1) Biophysiological parameters; 2) Communication and guidelines for parents: weaknesses and strengths of the family; and 3) Post-discharge care: network follow-up. Conclusion: According to the selected bibliography, it is concluded that newborns’ safe hospital discharge requires attention to the physiological, communication with the family and intersectoral aspects for network follow-up.