Mimic study - Study of the indirect impact of Covid-19 on care pathways
The project ended in 2021With the spread of the Coronavirus-19 (Covid-19) epidemic, in order to cope with the different needs of the population, the National Health Service had to change its structure by reorganising care pathways through the reconversion of wards, increasing the number of intensive care places for Covid-19 patients, reducing planned surgical activities and suspending outpatient activities. The limitations imposed on hospital activity and the fear of citizens approaching emergency rooms may have led to a reduction in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies other than Covid-19 with consequences for the health of the population.
To assess the impact of the epidemic on health care through the timely monitoring of hospital and emergency room access indicators.
A multicentre study was conducted that analysed hospitalisations and emergency department accesses pertaining to the clinical areas of cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, oncology, paediatrics and perinatal care, comparing the trend in 2020 (the first pandemic year) with that of the pre-pandemic two-year period 2018-2020. Indicators relating to volumes, timeliness of surgical procedures and clinical outcomes were analysed. The analysis showed that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a reduction in emergency room admissions and hospitalisations, but the capacity for timely and effective response in time-dependent care pathways was not compromised.
The study is coordinated by the Suprazonal Epidemiology Service SCaDU ASL Torino 3 and sees the participation of Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Apulia and Sicily, ATS Milan, metropolitan city of Rome.
The activity took place in 2020 and 2021.
Lucia Bisceglia is Scientific Head.
Istat, Rapporto annuale 2020: La situazione del paese - Capitolo 2 - Sanità e salute di fronte all’emergenza Covid-19
Impatto Covid 19 sull’assistenza ospedaliera
Scientific journal Epidemiologia e Prevenzione
Monitoraggio dell’impatto indiretto di Covid-19 su altri percorsi assistenziali
Scientific journal Monitor
Impatto del Covid sulla qualità dell’assistenza: il contributo degli indicatori PNE
Scientific journal Scientific Reports
Indirect impact of Covid-19 on hospital care pathways in Italy
