c section question

[renerian]

My niece was in Florida and gave birth, pit did not help so she had an emergency c section. After 24 hours they demanded she go home, baby not nursing right, no bm and very uncomfortable with gas and surgical pain and she is living in a motel (long story).

I think that is way to soon. Is it nowadays? I am just getting back into acute care after a 10 year hiatus and I have never done OB. I just wanted to know if this is standard practice?

Yes she has insurance. I told her if she is not ready she can call her insurance company and find out if they are pressuring the hospital to get her out and if she feels she is not ready she can ask for another day. When I had my hysterectomy the Dr/hospital wanted me to do it outpatient which I am glad I did not as I had complications and ended up staying for three days. My Dr. and I called the insurance company and got it approved.

renerian

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

I work in Washington State, and c/s patients here are usually so happy to be going home on PO Day 2. Some need to stay longer and we have to convince them to stay and others must be pried from the bed, but most are ready to get that baby home.

It's hard for me to believe that ANY insurance companies pay for 5-7 days stays for a "routine" c/s mom and babe! Even if our babes are NICU babes, the moms are discharged at day 2 and provided a complimentary room on the floor, but with the understanding that the staff no longer is responsible for the mom's care. ..available for assistance with baby once it comes out to room in, but that's it. And if the room is needed for a patient, the room must be vacated.

Actually, our unit is not physically big enough to keep all the c/s moms 7 days! Around here you'll see new moms, including c/s moms out and about downtown the day after discharge, so I can't imagine keeping them hostage as a patient and tying up nursing hours.

This further emphasizes how different standards of care can be depending on where you live.

[smk1, LPN]

hi I'm not a nurse yet but I have had 3 friends in the past 2 years who have diff. insurances and delivered at the same local hospital and the stay for all 3 was 5 days! I stayed 2 days after delivery and it was fairly normal. I am shocked at this. I felt like a truck had hit me 24 hours after the lady partsl birth and can only imagine how the surgery would feel. This seems completely wrong

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

Didn't we have a Federal Law passed a few years ago r/t early discharges? My understanding is that Insurance Companies MUST provide coverage of up to 48 hours post delivery for lady partsl births, and 96 hours for c/s.

The law was passed because the ins companies were trying to limit coverage. If a mom is feeling fine, no problem, but 24 hours post c/s is ridiculous.

[BETSRN]

72 hours MINIMUM is the standard in Connecticut for a post c/section stay. I hope you are able to get some help for your sister. The fact that she is living in a hotel shoudl have sparked someone in Social Services to see her and make sure she is okay.

[BETSRN]

Sorry I said sister. I know it's your niece.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

THank you everyone for posting. She did go home on day three less than three full days post op. She is miserable. My sister and my niece did not want to call the insurance company nor did they want me to call for them to go to battle. The baby is taking to a bottle now, only took to the breast once, her bowels moved and she is better but very tired.

I appreciate everyone's input.

renerian

[HazeK]

Originally posted by Mimi2RN

Didn't we have a Federal Law passed a few years ago r/t early discharges? My understanding is that Insurance Companies MUST provide coverage of up to 48 hours post delivery for lady partsl births, and 96 hours for c/s.

The law was passed because the ins companies were trying to limit coverage. If a mom is feeling fine, no problem, but 24 hours post c/s is ridiculous.

I must agree with this posting!

Perhaps the unit was very busy, and very full so MD's were discharging pt's early to make more postpartum beds available? Not a very good practice.

Suggest she let the state consumer protection folks and her insurance agency know how she was treated!

hhk

[mitchsmom]

Yes, I thought there was a law also. I am in FL and the standard as far as I know is 48 for healthy lady partsl and longer (forgot exactly how long) for CS. I had to get sort of "special" permission to go home at 24 hours when I wanted to. I live a little south of Lakeland.

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by Mimi2RN

Didn't we have a Federal Law passed a few years ago r/t early discharges? My understanding is that Insurance Companies MUST provide coverage of up to 48 hours post delivery for lady partsl births, and 96 hours for c/s.

Yes...Clinton signed it into effect in 1996, I think....

When I had my C-section, I stayed for 4 days.....