A new paradigm for postpartum care.

Shortened hospital stays have decreased women's access to postpartum nursing care. Providers and payers together must address clinical and cost issues to develop a model of maternity care that covers the postpartum period. A short-stay maternity program was developed in 1989 by Professional Nurse Associates, Inc., in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente. The program includes prenatal preparation of families, a brief hospital stay, postpartum home visits, and postvisit case management. Readmission rates or mothers and newborns in the program have been less than 1%. The program has saved about $1 million a year since 1991, and consumer satisfaction has been measured at 99%.