MONTRÉAL, October 8, 2025 - Two studies led by Dr. Nadia Roumeliotis, pediatric intensivist at CHU Sainte-Justine and researcher at Centre de recherche Azrieli, reveal that direct discharge home after a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit is safe for children who meet certain criteria.

As part of her KIDs-DISH (Kids-Discharged ICU Sent home) research program, Dr. Roumeliotis examined discharge practices across several North American hospitals. Her findings show that approximately one in four children admitted to intensive care is discharged directly home, bypassing transfer to another hospital unit. This group includes children previously discharged home from pediatric intensive care units, those admitted for an issue with technology-dependent care (e.g., enteral feeding, assisted ventilation, etc.), as well as those admitted for:

• Uncomplicated elective surgical procedures
• Intoxication
• Bronchiolitis
• Asthma

Children discharged directly home from intensive care tend to be less critically ill and require fewer interventions than those transferred to another ward. Importantly, the research found that these children were no more likely to return to the emergency department or be readmitted to the hospital within two weeks than matched patients discharged via a hospital ward. However, if they did return, they were more likely to require intensive care again.

The study also underscores the financial advantages of this approach, notably through reduced hospitalization costs. These findings suggest that, for carefully selected patients, direct discharge home can be an effective strategy—provided families receive adequate preparation and support. “This study is very relevant given the current strain on the healthcare system, particularly in intensive care units and hospital wards, says Dr. Roumeliotis, who is also Associate Professor at Université de Montréal. We must be able to identify patients who can safely be discharged home early and directly from critical care—ensuring effective care for children and their families, while also supporting the sustainability of the healthcare system.”  

Future research will focus on enhancing the preparation of patients and families for direct discharge from pediatric intensive care units.