Background: The healthcare sector is among the most complex ones where partnerships and interdependencies between different hospitals can achieve real technical and managerial operational models aimed at optimizing resources. However, the construction of this type of interdependence is not simple to implement, making it necessary to integrate at different organizational and professional levels. The aim of this work is to present the integration process and results achieved during the first 3 years of experience after a synergic integration of the interventional cath lab units of the San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano and the Infermi Hospital Local Health Unit TO 3, Rivoli.
Methods: Starting from March 2016, data concerning number and type of procedures as well as the distribution of workloads of each operator in the two cath labs were recorded and monitored. Moreover, numbers of urgent procedures performed as well as the door-to-balloon time in case of primary angioplasty were recorded.
Results: Compared to the first 12 months of non-integrated activity, the number of procedures remained constant with an overall trend of activity increase (total procedures: +2.6% from 2016 to 2017; +8.7% from 2017 to 2018). No statistically significant differences were found in the average door-to-balloon time, either by stratifying by period (year 2015 vs 2016 vs 2017 vs 2017 vs 2018) or by single institution. All ST-elevation myocardial infarctions were treated at the arrival site, displacing the medical availability team. The mortality rate and the number of complications were not different compared to the trend recorded in previous years. The implementation of joint programs with an exchange of expertise between operators has allowed the rapid development of skills necessary for the execution of structural heart procedures not previously performed in one of the operating centers.
Conclusions: The model of an integrated cath lab unit represents an example of a partnership between two hospitals, which allows a synergistic growth of professional skills, even facing daily logistical challenges. The integration has made it possible to expand the number and type of procedures performed as well to join the on-call equipe without impacting on the door-to-balloon time in case of primary coronary angioplasty.