Policlinico San Donato and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at ARNAS Civico in Palermo: the results of the first year of activity

Since July 4, 2023, the day the project was inaugurated, this partnership has already brought excellent results, contributing to the drastic reduction of waiting lists for young patients and reducing passive mobility.

In the first 10 months of activity, more than 200 patients have been taken care of and numerous professionals have been trained on site, including 3 cardiac surgeons, 3 perfusionists and 49 nurses. More than 30 professionals from the Policlinico San Donato have also been involved on assignment.

All this to implement and improve assistance to Sicilian patients. This is also demonstrated by the San Donato hospital statistics which show a rate of Sicilian patients discharged in sharp decline in the second half of 2023 compared to the first half.

The interpretation of these data suggests that the presence of an operational unit in the region of residence has made healthcare easier and more accessible for Sicilian patients, reducing the need to travel or move to other regions to receive hospital care. A positive sign of improvement in access to health services for the local population.

This important public-private partnership project was defined thanks to Gruppo San Donato, specifically the Policlinico San Donato, and has allowed the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery department to be revived, which the city of Palermo had lost for 15 years.

The agreement between the 2 entities, signed last year in the presence of the President of the Sicily Region, Renato Schifani, and the President of the Policlinico San Donato, Dr. Kamel Ghribi, sealed the services implemented in the newly formed Pediatric Cardiac Surgery operating unit of ARNAS.

“No more trips of hope for young Sicilian patients who will be able to enjoy all the healthcare they deserve. A big step forward that brings a breath of hope to the families and fellow citizens of the region” - these are the words of Dr. Alessandro Giamberti, head of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery unit of San Donato and conductor of the project on the field in Palermo.

A milestone that highlights how, from the collaboration between public and private in the healthcare sector, virtuous initiatives can arise, which are very important for improving people's quality of life.

A team of top-level specialists including cardiac surgeons, hemodynamicists, anesthetists/resuscitators, perfusionists, and nurses have been involved with the aim of ensuring assistance to Sicilian patients and training for the staff of the ARNAS Civico.

A twinning path that will last 3 years, with the possibility of renewal of 24 months, in which Policlinico San Donato will manage the pediatric cardiac surgery department.

The new operating unit, located on the second floor of pavilion 12 of the hospital, is equipped with 3 operating rooms with all the most modern equipment, including 2 instruments for extracorporeal circulation and 2 latest-generation ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator), as well as 2 angiographs.