Healthcare, the 2023 performance results of the Italian Regions Network, coordinated by the Sant'Anna Management and Healthcare (MeS) Laboratory. The strengths and weaknesses referred to more than 200 indicators on several dimensions of activity

Evaluating the performance of health services of regions, health care organizations and districts and presenting the 2023 data: this was the topic at the center of the debate in the Network of Regions event, hosted by the Gran Hotel Baglioni in Florence and coordinated by the MeS Management and Healthcare Laboratory of the Institute of Management of the Sant'Anna School in Pisa. Representatives from the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano and from seven regions divided between northern, central and southern Italy (Basilicata, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardia, Puglia, Toscana, Umbria, Veneto) analyzed the performance results referred to 2023 and obtained by their respective health, territorial and hospital companies. The Network of Regions is characterized by a collaborative spirit, and membership is on a voluntary basis to evaluate their respective performance. In a transparent mode, Autonomous Provinces and Regions in the Network have shared 2023 results for more than 200 indicators related to numerous dimensions of their activities.

"In an era dominated by advanced tools for analyzing health and administrative data, the Network of Regions' performance evaluation system emerges for its voluntary approach. Thanks to this feature," stressed Milena Vainieri, full professor in Management and scientific head of the performance evaluation system of the Network of Regions and of the MeS Management and Healthcare Laboratory of the Sant'Anna School in Pisa, "it is now possible to innovate by introducing new areas of analysis and perspectives, overcoming the resistance typical of methods imposed from above. The network is a place of collaboration," Milena Vainieri continues, "where evaluation becomes a tool to foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise among regional staff. This makes it possible to better understand and use the information that comes from administrative data."

In conclusion, Sabina Nuti, the rector of the Sant'Anna School, commented on two other aspects of the evaluation system: dynamism and timeliness. "The ability to innovate and adapt performance evaluation systems over time and make them increasingly timely," said Sabina Nuti, "are key elements in supporting the italian National Health Service in its challenge to sustainability. Without timely monitoring and without evidence that captures the changing reality and new needs, we will not be able to support change in Regional Health Services." In her speech, the rector Sabina Nuti reiterated the relevance of looking outside the traditional box with cross-sectoral approaches involving municipalities, Third Sector entities, universities and other stakeholders by putting communities at the center. "This is a challenge," Sabina Nuti concluded, "that can start from the country's inland areas as a testing ground for new models of care based on technological innovation and task shifting (i.e., the rational transfer of tasks, usually carried out by highly qualified healthcare professionals, to other professionals with shorter and less qualified training) to move toward a system in which healthcare personnel become facilitators of the process of producing value for the person and not just service delivery.

Data and comments continue HERE (Italian language only).