Overview

• Over 58% of internal medicine wards in Italy operate above capacity, with some patients being treated on stretchers in corridors due to lack of beds.
• Chronic staff shortages affect 85.65% of wards, limiting the ability to provide adequate care and reducing time for clinical research.
• Nearly one-third of hospital admissions could be avoided through stronger primary care services and improved prevention efforts, such as better vaccination and screening programs.
• Misclassification of internal medicine wards as low-intensity care units restricts access to necessary staff and diagnostic equipment for treating complex cases.
• The rollout of community-based healthcare facilities, funded by €2 billion under the PNRR, is seen as a potential solution, but concerns remain about execution and integration with hospital systems.