Integration between hospital and territory in the metropolitan area of Bologna
The Azienda USL of Bologna is one of the largest local health authorities in Italy with a population of approximately 900,000 inhabitants – spread over 6 health districts and 50 municipalities. The territory has a high hospital offer with 9 hospitals managed directly by the AUSL (1,818 beds), the Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi (1,622 beds), the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (327 beds) and 11 accredited private nursing homes (1,076 beds).
The Hospital Territory Continuity Centres (CCOT) project started in 2007 with the activation of the first discharge pathway for stabilised patients who can return home but need health protection and/or social support at home. The pathway provides for the integration, through district operating centres (CCOT), of the hospital wards with the district ADI service and the social service of the 50 municipalities that, already in 1997, shared a single software platform – Dedalus Connected Care – Garsia® – for the management of the Welfare system integrated with the health authority.