The impact of COVID-19 on chronic therapies: the Pescara (ASL) Local Health Authority experience in Italy

Author(s):  
Alessia Romagnoli ◽  
Fiorenzo Santoleri ◽  
Alberto Costantini
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Squillace ◽  
Lorenzo Pizzi ◽  
Flavia Rallo ◽  
Carmen Bazzani ◽  
Gianni Saguatti ◽  
...  

AbstractWe conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the likelihood of returning for routine breast cancer screening among women who have experienced a false-positive result (FPR) and to describe the possible individual and organizational factors that could influence subsequent attendance to the screening program. Several information were collected on demographic and clinical characteristics data. Electronic data from 2014 to 2016 related to breast screening program of the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Bologna (Italy) of women between 45 and 74 years old were reviewed. A total of 4847 women experienced an FPR during mammographic screening and were recalled to subsequent round; 80.2% adhered to the screening. Mean age was 54.2 ± 8.4 years old. Women resulted to be less likely to adhere to screening if they were not-Italian (p = 0.001), if they lived in the Bologna district (p < 0.001), if they had to wait more than 5 days from II level test to end of diagnostic procedures (p = 0.001), if the diagnostic tests were performed in a hospital with the less volume of activity and higher recall rate (RR) (p < 0.001) and if they had no previous participation to screening tests (p < 0.001). Our results are consistent with previous studies, and encourages the implementation and innovation of the organizational characteristics for breast cancer screening. The success of screening programs requires an efficient indicators monitoring strategy to develop and evaluate continuous improvement processes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Leonessi ◽  
P Tubertini ◽  
A Longanesi ◽  
E Malaguti ◽  
S Guicciardi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High costs of healthcare and population ageing force the health system to constantly improve its efficiency in order to provide patients the best possible care with the available resources. In this perspective, the Local Health Authority and the University of Bologna started an experimentation to re-organize, manage and control the peri-operative elective path of general surgery, a discipline that works in a multiplatform environment according to a Hub & Spoke logic. Methods The experimentation is built on two mathematical programming models. The first one defines patient preparation appointments (i.e. diagnostic and anesthesiologic visits), harmonizing patient preparation with available resources, and planning migration from Hub to Spoke platforms, in order to optimize waiting time and facilities utilization. The second model defines weekly optimal admission plans. Both models consider the availability of resources in terms of surgical teams, operating room slots and number of beds for each operating unit. The proposed approach works on a four-week time horizon following a rolling horizon framework (weekly update) in order to effectively manage high priority patients. Results Both models have been tested on real-world instances over a six-month observation period. Overall, it was possible to increase the efficiency of surgical programming by reducing the waiting times for surgical interventions in over 20% of cases of high priority patiets in four local departments. Conclusions The proposed model represents one of the few cases in Italy of surgical programming developed through mathematical models. It will be necessary to evaluate the evolution of its effectiveness to optimize the system's ability to respond to the growing health needs of the population. Key messages Mathematical models are needed to optimize surgical planning. Efficiency of surgical planning may reduce waiting times for high priority procedures.


The Lancet ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 278 (7198) ◽  
pp. 368-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Midgley

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
S Thierry ◽  
S Alsibai ◽  
I Parent du Châtelet ◽  
on behalf of the investigation team

Between the end of January and 12 March 2008, 16 cases of measles were reported to the local health authority in Reims in eastern France. The outbreak has to date affected nine adults and seven children, aged from seven months to 28 years. Among these cases, 13 were biologically confirmed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-97
Author(s):  
Romana Prosperi Porta ◽  
Maria Antonietta D’Errico ◽  
Elise M. Chapin ◽  
Isabella Sciarretta ◽  
Paolo Delaini

Background: Breastfeeding is the biological norm for feeding infants and a public health strategy with such a significant impact on the health of the population in the short, medium, and long terms that it should be considered a priority. A pharmacy can be a place for breastfeeding support, since it is open 24 hours a day and is easily accessible. Objective: The main objective of our fact-finding investigation into the breastfeeding support role of pharmacists in the “Roma B” Local Health Authority was to understand how often pharmacists came into contact with nursing mothers, and if pharmacists felt the need to have a greater knowledge of issues regarding breastfeeding. Methods: This survey was done by administering 144 questionnaires (to 1 pharmacist per pharmacy) with items about the support and the protection of breastfeeding and lactation, the perceived need for specific training courses, and openness to establishing virtuous network mechanisms with stakeholders who work in breastfeeding in that geographical area. Results: Our survey shows that mothers come to pharmacies for advice about various health problems. Although pharmacists had little knowledge about breastfeeding, they were interested in participating in a training course. Ninety percent of them declared their interest in collaborating with local breastfeeding stakeholders. Conclusions: The role of the pharmacist in the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding has become increasingly important, along with the awareness of being competent and ethical on issues about breastfeeding.


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