What additional benefits does telemedicine offer in home hospitalisation and the patient follow-up programme?

Summary of the idea:

Randomised clinical trial including low birth weight premature infants admitted to the Neonatal Unit of the Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta in Girona who participate in the home hospitalisation programme. One group will receive regular home hospitalisation (control) and another group will receive home hospitalisation supported by telemedicine (NOAH). In both groups clinical data will be collected and the degree of satisfaction of the parents and hospital costs will be evaluated.

Objectives, impact and proposed solution:

The aim of this study is to compare the already known benefits of classic home hospitalisation with a telemedicine-supported home follow-up programme (NOAH application), which allows constant monitoring of children by collecting data through sensors and/or manually.

NOAH can be a useful and safe tool for following up children hospitalised at home and an opportunity to improve their clinical evolution, improve the parents' peace of mind, promote parent-child bonding, encourage breastfeeding and reduce the length of stay by reducing hospital costs.