The Hushabye Opioid Pregnancy Preparation and Empowerment Program (HOPPE) An Innovative Approach to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) continues at excessive levels in the United States, affecting thousands of newborns yearly who require extended hospitalizations for their withdrawal symptoms. Hushabye Nursery is a free-standing care facility for infants with NAS and their caregivers with substance use disorder, which optimizes care through nonpharmacologic approaches and parent engagement.

PURPOSE: To provide preliminary observational data on the Hushabye model of care.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study between November 2020 and October 2025, evaluating the effect of a specialized care delivery model in a free-standing treatment facility. Outcomes assessed included length of stay (LOS), pharmacological treatment, prenatal engagement, and discharge disposition.

RESULTS

The average LOS of infants (n = 1105) at Hushabye was 8.3 days (SD = 5.1). Over half of the infants (n = 569, 51%) never received pharmacologic treatment for withdrawal symptoms. Antenatal enrollment at Hushabye was associated with significantly shorter LOS (mean [SD], 7.8 [5.2] days vs. 9.0 [4.9] days; P < .001) and lower rates of morphine treatment (35% vs. 63%; P < .001). Infants who did not receive morphine were most likely to be discharged home without child welfare involvement (45%), and infants requiring morphine had higher rates of foster care placement (22% vs. 11%) and kinship placement (25% vs. 11%) (P < .001).

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Infants with NAS may be effectively treated in a free-standing facility using the Hushabye model, achieving outcomes similar to or better than current models of care while reducing the burden and costs associated with a prolonged hospital stay.