In Milan, the first virtual hospital. An innovative model that reduces hospitalizations and improves access to care

At the Motore Sanità 2024 conference, held at the Palazzo Pirelli in Milan, a revolutionary project for Italian healthcare is presented: the first virtual hospital. It is an innovative model that aims to drastically reduce hospital admissions, improve access to care and optimize the use of NHS resources.

How will the virtual hospital work?

The idea is based on the experience of Mercy Virtual Hospital, which has been active in the United States since 2015. Patients will be able to access the services of the virtual hospital from the comfort of their own homes, via a tablet or smartphone. Through specific sensors and wearable devices, they will be able to transmit their health data in real time to medical staff, who will then be able to monitor their health status and intervene promptly if needed.

What are the benefits?

Through telemedicine and advanced technologies, the virtual hospital will provide a number of benefits to the Italian health care system, including:

• Reduction in hospitalizations: It is estimated that the virtual hospital can avoid about 527,050 hospitalizations for chronic diseases per year, with an average savings of 5,000 euros per hospitalization
• Improved access to care: Patients will be able to receive medical care more easily and quickly, without having to deal with long waiting times or strenuous travel
• Optimization of healthcare resources: The use of telemedicine will reduce the workload in traditional hospitals, freeing up resources for more complex interventions
• Increased patient satisfaction: Patients will benefit from health care that is more personalized and centered on their needs.
• Constant monitoring of patients
• Remote clinical collaboration, between primary care physicians, nurses and other specialists

A revolutionary project, full of enthusiasm

The virtual hospital project has been enthusiastically welcomed by health experts, representatives of institutions and stakeholders in the health supply chain. An initial investment of about 10 million euros is planned for its implementation, with the goal of creating a national network of virtual hospitals. “This project represents a real revolution for Italian healthcare,” said Claudio Zanon, scientific director of Motore Sanità. “We have the opportunity to create a health care system that is more efficient, fair and accessible for all citizens.”

Beyond the first announcement: challenges and opportunities

Enthusiasm for the project is understandable, but it is important to consider several determining factors and obstacles to its success. Indeed, the success of the virtual hospital will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of appropriate technology, the training of health care personnel, and the collaboration between the different actors in the health care system. If all the pieces are put in the right place, the virtual hospital can really help improve the quality of life of Italian citizens and bring real change to Italian healthcare.

Sources and Images

• https://torinocronaca.it/news/cronaca/349145/nasce-il-primo-ospedale-virtuale-in-italia-che-evitera-570mila-ricoveri-ecco-come-funzionera.html
• https://www.adnkronos.com/immediapress/la-forza-dellai-e-il-punto-di-vista-del-gemello-digitale-rivoluzionano-il-lavoro-quotidiano-del-medico_2NeJdDou2g4YtcDZjwcytk