Experience with early postcesarean hospital dismissal.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess early postcesarean hospital dismissal. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was performed of all women receiving cesarean delivery over the most recent 6-month period in a busy private obstetrics practice that routinely dismisses its cesarean patients on postoperative day 2. Women who meet certain criteria (uncomplicated pregnancy, Pfannenstiel incision, uncomplicated surgery, no febrile morbidity, stable vital signs, ability to ambulate without assistance, ability to urinate without assistance, and auscultation of active bowel sounds) on postoperative day 2 are dismissed from the hospital. Outcomes were compared against women undergoing cesarean delivery during the 6 months immediately before the institution of the early dismissal program. RESULTS: Among 147 women undergoing cesarean deliveries, 117 (80%) met the criteria for early dismissal. When compared with controls (n = 93), there was no difference in outcomes. No one in the early dismissal group required readmission to the hospital. CONCLUSION: Among properly selected candidates, early postcesarean hospital admission is a reasonable option.