The measures in the regional plan to combat overcrowding in the San Francesco emergency room in Nuoro have not been implemented or have only been partially implemented. The Regional Directorate General for Health stated this in a letter sent to Francesco Trotta, director of the Nuoro Local Health Authority. Thomas Schael, director of Health, requested a response within seven days and warned: "If he fails to respond, the procedure for dismissal may be initiated."

Certified criticalities

The Region has certified the critical issues facing the Nuoro Emergency Room. Residents have long been complaining in black and white: a lack of stretchers, hours-long waiting times for ambulances, just like patients, despite the efforts of healthcare workers. This is stated in an official document addressed to Local Health Authority 3, the result of a regional review of the implementation of the measures outlined by the Regional Council on April 8th in its plan to manage overcrowding in Sardinia's emergency rooms. This is not the only document sent. Other Local Health Authorities have reportedly received the same notification.

In the letter, the Director General acknowledges the measures already implemented and the Region's efforts to support healthcare workers, but highlights critical issues in implementing the measures requested by Cagliari at the hospital level. The following have not been implemented: "The approval of the hospital overcrowding plan, the 24-hour bed management team, the UCrAS escalation and de-escalation indicators and thresholds, specialist care, the 10 percent increase in bed capacity in July and August, and the dashboards for monitoring bed capacity during scheduled time slots." These tools are designed to manage patient flow, track bed availability, plan discharges, and prevent the emergency room from becoming a bottleneck for the hospital and the wider community. Among the partially implemented measures: "Fast Track, diagnostic-therapeutic care pathways for time-dependent conditions, and referrals to community hospitals." Director General Schael urges Trotta to provide immediate feedback. If it does not arrive, "it may be considered a violation of the provisions set forth in Article 3 of the contract, with the consequent possibility of initiating the procedure set forth in the subsequent Article 7", the revocation of the assignment.

The political controversy

Regarding the Roberto Capelli case, former Health Councilor, he points the finger at Alessandra Todde: "The President announces results. The Health Director-General certifies failures to implement them. These two things don't go together," he says, "and they concern tools to prevent the Emergency Room from becoming a final destination for everything that doesn't work." He's referring to bed availability, admissions, transfers to intermediate facilities, workload monitoring, and connections with the local network. "Not details, but essentials, such as a business plan, bed availability assessments, waiting times, appropriateness of services, and a real-time overview of occupied and available beds."

Fabio Ledda

© Riproduzione riservata