An integrated pathway for acquired brain injuries: a regional policy in Tuscany, Italy
International Journal of Integrated Care, 31 December 2009 - ISSN 1568-4156
Conference abstract
An integrated pathway for acquired brain injuries: a regional policy in Tuscany, Italy
Valeria Di Fabrizio, Regional Agency for Healthcare in Tuscany, Quality and Equity Unit, Florence, Italy
Enrico Desideri, Regional Department of Healthcare Ministry in Tuscany, Italy, Local Health Unit n. 8, Arezzo, Italy
Federico Posteraro, Neurological Rehabilitation and Acquired Brain Injuries Unit, Auxilium Vitae Hospital, Volterra, Italy
Stefania Rodella, Regional Agency for Healthcare in Tuscany, Quality and Equity Unit, Florence, Italy
on behalf of the Regional Workgroup for ABI in Tuscany
Correspondence to: Valeria Di Fabrizio, Phone: +39(0)55 4624386, Fax: +39(0)55 4624345, E-mail: valeria.difabrizio@arsanita.toscana.it
Abstract


Introduction: Acquired brain injuries (ABI) are a crucial issue for healthcare and social services. In 2000 and 2005 two Consensus Conferences in Italy [1, 2] produced a set of recommendations to improve patients healthcare. In 2009, a regional policy identified specific goals for this health problem in Tuscany.


Aims: To improve the continuum of care for acquired brain injuries in Tuscany, Italy (3,500,000 million inhabitants).


Policy practice description: For the 2003–2007 study period, a total annual number of 465–770 incident cases of ABI with residual serious disability was estimated on the basis of integrated computerized administrative databases.

In 2008, a regional project was started to improve the continuum of care for ABI patients. A multidisciplinary workgroup drafted a technical document designing a model of care based on: five fundamental steps of care, rigorous criteria for appropriate transfers between different steps, subgroups of patients requiring different combinations of steps according to their clinical conditions.


Conclusions: The above-mentioned model of care is now being implemented throughout the region, addressing some readjustments of hospital beds, shared adoption of clinical protocols and integration between social and health care, different professional skills and subsequent levels of care.


Discussion: The strengths of this model are its flexibility and circularity: according to their clinical needs, patients belonging to different subgroups can move along the clinical pathway in several ways: through subsequent steps, bypassing intermediate steps or being readmitted to previous steps.

Keywords
pathway; acquired brain injuries; incidence

Presentation slides

References
1.
Consensus conference Modena 2000 Documento conclusivo della Giuria e Raccomandazioni [Consensus Conferences Modena 2000 conclusive paper and recommendations of the Jury]. Giornale Italiano di Medicina Riabilitativa 2000; 15(1):29-39. [in Italian].
2.
Apolone G, Boldrini P, Avesani R, De Tanti A, Fogar P, Gambini MG, Taricco M. 2° Conferenza nazionale di consenso bisogni riabilitativi ed assistenziali delle persone con disabilità da grave cerebro-lesione acquisita (GCA) e delle loro famiglie, nella fase post-ospedaliera [2° national consensus conference on rehabilitation and assistance needs of disabled people with severe acquired brain injuries (ABI) and of their families after hospitalization]. Giornale Italiano di Medicina Riabilitativa-MR 2007; 21:29-51. [in Italian].