Tests Before Going Home

Rooming In

During the last 24 hours of the hospital stay, before going home, parents are required to complete ‘rooming in.’ This helps parents get comfortable with all the care their baby will need once they are at home. Parents will give all the care for their baby on their own while still in the hospital. Parents will have had all the training needed before starting the rooming in period. Parents are asked to make all the bottles, give all medicines, complete all well-baby care, and use any equipment the baby will need at home.

Hearing Screen

All babies have a state-mandated hearing screen before being sent home for the first time.

Newborn Screening

This test is sometimes called a PKU test. It is drawn at 24 hours of life. It looks at your baby’s blood for many serious but rare medical conditions. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to slow growth, developmental disabilities, and possible death. Finding these conditions early and giving the right care may prevent serious problems in the future.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

We encourage all parents to have their baby get the Hepatitis B shot (vaccine) before going home for the first time and continue to get all immunizations at the recommended times.

Car Seat Test

This test makes sure your baby’s heart rate, breathing, and oxygenation are stable while in the car seat. Your baby will need to sit in the car seat with a monitor on for a set amount of time before going home.

Cardiac Tests

Your baby will also have a discharge chest x-ray, echocardiogram, and EKG before being sent home.