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Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Preterm Labor Management: Inpatient vs Outpatient

Journal of Perinatology volume 24, pages 515–519 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy and economic outcomes in women receiving inpatient vs outpatient tocolysis with continuous subcutaneous terbutaline (SQT).

STUDY DESIGN: Identified within a database were women prescribed SQT at 24.0 to 33.9 weeks' gestation following stabilization of an acute episode of preterm labor. Women with cervical dilatation >3 cm, and/or maternal or fetal instability were excluded. Those with prolonged inpatient care were matched 1:1 to those discharged with outpatient follow-up by cervical dilatation, gestational age, and fetal number yielding 90 matched pairs (180 women).

RESULTS: Inpatients had an earlier gestational age at delivery (34.1±2.9 vs 35.8±1.9 weeks, p<0.001), higher preterm birth rate (86.7% vs 74.4%, p=0.043) and higher overall costs ($56,089±$47,944 vs $25,540±$25,847, p<0.001) than outpatients.

CONCLUSION: Outpatient management resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes at a cost less than that of inpatient management in this analysis of women treated with SQT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Christ Hospital & Medical Center, Oak Lawn, IL, USA

    Steven Ambrose MD

  2. Department of Clinical Research, Matria Healthcare, Marietta, GA, USA

    Debbie J Rhea MPH, Niki B Istwan RN, Ann Collins RN, BSN & Gary Stanziano MD

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  1. Steven Ambrose MD
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  2. Debbie J Rhea MPH
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  3. Niki B Istwan RN
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  4. Ann Collins RN, BSN
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Ambrose, S., Rhea, D., Istwan, N. et al. Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Preterm Labor Management: Inpatient vs Outpatient. J Perinatol 24, 515–519 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211139

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