The transition from hospital to home care for preterm infants and newborns with increased nursing needs can be a challenging and stressful time for parents. While these families receive reliable routine care in German hospitals, they are faced with the responsibility of 24/7 care once they leave the hospital. Instabilities in the infant's vital signs or the need for intensive medical care can add further stress to the situation. However, the community care system is often fragmented and faces a shortage of skilled professionals.

The WELCOME project aims to address these challenges by developing and evaluating a digital video-based transition care concept. Pediatric nurses will provide families with virtual consultations via video and will also supply them with a tablet and necessary medical devices, such as an oxygen saturation monitor or stethoscope. The vital signs of the newborn can be easily transmitted to the nurse specialists for monitoring, and the parents will also receive tailored information and decision aids. The evaluation of the project will focus on factors such as feasibility, acceptance, usage, and clinical and economic effects. The primary outcome will be the 30-day readmission rate, while secondary outcomes will include adverse events, developmental progress of the newborn, reduced stress levels for parents, increased self-efficacy, and improved care competencies.

The development phase of this concept is being funded by the Innovation Fund and will be carried out as a Consortium Project. The Institute for Clinical Nursing Science (CC01) will represent the Charité and be responsible for the evaluation, with involvement from additional Charité Institutes. The Ludwig-Maximilians University München will lead the Consortium, and other partners include Techniker Krankenkasse and the company MedKitDocs – BDS Digital Health Solutions GmbH.