Early discharge with home antibiotic therapy in the treatment of neonatal infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and cost of home antibiotic therapy for a select group of neonates. METHODS: A cohort of neonates at a university hospital who met criteria for home antibiotic therapy at discharge were prospectively followed (November 1995 to October 1997) for type and duration of antibiotic therapy as well as for hospital readmission. RESULTS: During the study period, 95 infants diagnosed with sepsis, presumed sepsis, pneumonia, or uncomplicated meningitis (having received > 10 days of in-hospital therapy) met prior, established, criteria for home antibiotic therapy. The mean +/- SD birth weight of the cohort was 3160 +/- 526 gm, with a mean gestational age of 38.4 +/- 2.1 weeks. A total of 59 infants (62%) received antimicrobial therapy for a clinical presentation consistent with sepsis or presumed sepsis, and 24 infants (25%) were treated for pneumonia. Ampicillin and gentamicin were prescribed for 56% of the cohort, and ceftriaxone was prescribed for 21% of the cohort. Four of those infants were switched from intravascular ampicillin/gentamicin therapy to intramuscular ceftriaxone after discharge due to loss of intravascular access. With a bilirubin level of > 8, four additional infants were changed from ceftriaxone back to ampicillin and gentamicin to complete coverage. The mean age at discharge was 5.2 days, with a mean hospitalization cost of $6121 for that period. There were no rehospitalizations or emergency department visits secondary to a worsening clinical course. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of neonates who met early discharge and defined home antibiotic therapy criteria, there were no serious complications or treatment failures reported; in addition, there were fewer costs compared with continued inpatient treatment.