Abstract Background In Italy, influenza vaccination coverage in people ≥ 65 years is unsatisfactory (56.7%), underlining the need to improve current vaccination strategies. The objectives of this study have been: to define a novel pathway to increase influenza vaccination adherence among ≥ 65 years population in the Lazio region; to provide a predictive estimate of the epidemiological and economic pathway’s potential impact. Methods A multidisciplinary working group (WG) featuring cross-sectoral expertise was created and WG periodic meetings were held to define the patient journey and its flow-chart representation. The pathway’s potential impact was assessed through epidemiological and economic indicators and scenario analyses. Results An integrated pathway across primary and secondary care was defined, based on the active patient in-Hospital recruitment and vaccination and enhanced by a Clinical Decision Support System relying on a digital algorithm to identify eligible patients. Assuming an increase of influenza vaccination coverage from the current rate of 60% (scenario 1) to 65% (scenario 2) in ≥ 65 years population in the Lazio region thanks to the pathway implementation, an increase of 8% in avoided influenza cases, influenza- or pneumonia-related hospitalizations and influenza-related outpatient visits was estimated with a relative increase in savings for hospitalizations and outpatients visits of up 2,367,310 euros. Setting the vaccination coverage at 70% (scenario 3), an increase of 16% in avoided influenza cases, hospitalizations and outpatient visits was estimated with a relative increase in savings for hospitalizations and outpatients’ visits of up to 4,833,259 euros. Conclusions Alongside offering a predictive estimate of the relevant pathway’s potential impact, both epidemiological and economic, this project, with its robust methodology, may serve as a scalable and transferable model for enhancing vaccination coverage at national and international level. Key messages • The proposed pathway, offering the option of receiving flu vaccination within the Hospital, supports the paradigm shift towards primary prevention pathways in secondary care settings. • Another relevant aspect of the integrated pathway is the adoption of an Artificial Intelligence tool to identify suitable patients and improve their recruitment and adherence to vaccination.

AIMS:To evaluate osteoradionecrosis (ORN) incidence in a cohort of patients undergoing tooth extraction (TE) before radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancers. METHODS:The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (ID-2132) and registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT04009161). TE was performed in case of signs of pericoronitis, periapical lesions, restorative impossibility, severe periodontitis. ORN was defined as exposed bone at an unhealed post-extraction socket in the absence of oncological recurrence. The RT plans were reviewed, and each post-extractive socket was contoured to calculate the received radiation dose. RESULTS:In total, 156 patients with 610 TE were enrolled. The mean follow-up was 567 days. ORN was diagnosed in four patients (2.6% of patients and 0.7% of TE). Need for osteotomy and radiation dose at the extraction site were associated with ORN (OR for osteotomy: 21.9, 95% CI: 2.17-222.2, p = 0.009; OR for RT dose: 1.1, 95% CI: 1-1.15, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:TE appears to be a significant risk factor for ORN, particularly when osteotomy is required, and post-extraction sockets receive a high RT dosage. This study proposes a decision-making algorithm for TE and outlines a straightforward surgical protocol.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that health services preparedness is crucial. Indeed, effective planning enables streamline operations, optimized resource allocation, and transparent communication during crises. Within this context, our analysis aims to assess EU countries’ healthcare systems preparedness, by policies analysis and capacity factor analysis, and relationship with COVID-19. We reviewed policies regarding influenza, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate change in EU countries, using a web-screening of national and international authorities and institutions. Furthermore, we performed a factor analysis on WHO’s States Party Self-Assessment Reporting (SPAR) and evaluated the results using an iterated principal factor analysis with promax rotation. Few countries updated their policies after the pandemic, particularly regarding influenza plans. Italy stands out as an exception, having updated its national plan in 2021, while other countries maintain pre-COVID plans. Regarding AMR, only few countries, including Sweden, Netherlands, Malta, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and France, updated their plans post-pandemic, while Estonia and Romania lack plans entirely. Addressing the climate crisis and its impacts on health and healthcare resilience, all EU countries aligned with the EC regulation on climate action through National Energy and Climate Plans in 2023. Moreover, EU countries had average preparedness level of 75.77 (SD: 8.23), calculated on SPAR 2022, with significant disparities. Three major factors contribute to preparedness levels: planning, service delivery, and specific subtopics (e.g. food safety, radiation, infectious diseases). Our findings reveal the complexity of preparedness, showing diverse approaches across countries, despite EU regulations and WHO guidelines. International collaboration is crucial to standardize policies and enable countries to leverage successful examples, improving public health outcomes. Key messages • Health services preparedness, underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial for effective planning and crisis management. • The analysis demonstrates varying levels of preparedness across EU countries, with differences in policy updates and adherence to international guidelines.

Abstract Background Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs) are pivotal in the current management of oncological patients, integrating molecular diagnostics with clinical expertise to tailor precise treatments. Within the framework of EU-funded ‘Building EU Cancer and Public Health Genomics platform’ (Can.Heal) project that aims at streamlining genomics implementation in public health, we are developing a policy brief to promote MTBs’ adoption across the EU. Methods A two-step approach was employed to delineate strategies for MTB implementation. Firstly, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses (if feasible) up to November 2023, on studies assessing the MTBs’ clinical impact. Secondly, based on the results of the review, we conducted an expert consultation to identify key areas to improve MTBs implementation and impact. Results 48 studies were included, whose results were heterogeneous in terms of organizational aspects and number of experts involved (mean n: 6, range: 2-19). Average implementation rate of the recommendations issued by the MTB was 43.1% (3.2%-92%), with a turnaround time from testing to recommendation of 36 days (15-58). By pooling data from 12 studies (n = 1623), a favorable overall survival [HR = 0.63 (95% CI 0.53-0.76), I2 42.0%] was reported for patients managed in hospitals with MTBs versus not. Similar estimates were reported when the outcome was progression free survival [HR = 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.72), I2 = 0.0%], based on 8 studies (n = 1106). The subsequent expert consultation identified 5 key areas for MTB implementation: genetic data sharing, standards for results’ interpretation, equitable access to MTB, optimization of the testing process, and funding and reimbursement. Conclusions The policy brief underscores the significant clinical benefits of MTB-recommended therapy, improving patients’ outcomes. Nevertheless, addressing resource allocation and infrastructure development is essential to optimize MTB utilization and enhance patient outcomes. Key messages • Our results highlight that MTBs-recommended therapy translates into tangible clinical benefits. • More fundings and resources are needed to optimize and fully implement MTBs in clinical practice.

Abstract Background This study aims to produce the concept of an open-access medical and public health cancer genomics platform aimed at aggregating and sharing documentation of ongoing initiatives and data resulting from the CAN.HEAL project, available for EU researchers, healthcare professionals, policy makers, citizens and patients. Methods The context (reference sector, stakeholders and research evidences), feasibility (privacy management and data processing), and platform’s end users were analysed; the CAN.HEAL project deliverables were listed and clustered; aspects related to the definition of the overall platform architecture and modules integration were studied. Results The project deliverables were catalogued into 8 categories which could be the platform’s cloud interface main labels: results from events, policy papers, newsletters, mapping results and reports, datasets, recommendations and guidelines, use cases, courses and training activities. To define the overall system architecture, the following key activities should be implemented: content management system choice, hosting configuration and setup of the development domain, content management system installation, development of HTML web pages, data entry, data visualisation and graphic layout, and test and debug. To the modules integration purposes the following items should be addressed: creation of a server analytics account; social network integration; activation of additional system for sending newsletters. Conclusions Cloud-based data platform allows to securely manage, integrate, analyse and share large datasets. Establishing an infrastructure to help researchers access, store and analyse large amounts of biological data is of paramount importance both to enable advances in research and support health policy making processes. The CAN.HEAL platform could help aligning clinical and population-based interventions for integrating the genome of Europe biobanking initiative into public health genomics for cancer. Key messages • Connecting healthcare data can support the challenge of accessing the relevant information needed for the policy and decision making processes to effectively promote population health and wellbeing. • The set-up of a medical and public health cancer genomics platform promotes the effective translation of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public policy and health services.

Current approach to identify BRCA 1/2 carriers in the general population is ineffective as most of the carriers remain undiagnosed. Radiomics is an emerging tool for large scale quantitative analysis of features from standard diagnostic imaging and has been applied also to identify gene mutational status. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of integrating a radiogenomics model with clinical and family history data in identifying BRCA mutation carriers in the general population. This cost-effective analysis compares three different approaches to women selection for BRCA testing: established clinical criteria/family history (model 1); established clinical criteria/family history and the currently available radiogenomic model (49% sensitivity and 87% specificity) based on ultrasound images (model 2); same approach used in model 2 but simulating an improvement of the performances of the radiogenomic model (80% sensitivity and 95% specificity) (model 3). All models were trained with literature data. Direct costs were calculated according to the rates currently used in Italy. The analysis was performed simulating different scenarios on the generation of 18-year-old girls in Italy (274,000 people). The main outcome was to identify the most effective model comparing the number of years of BRCA-cancer healthy life expectancy (HLYs). An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was also derived to determine the cost in order to increase BRCA carriers-healthy life span by 1 year. Compared to model 1, model 2 increases the detection rate of BRCA carriers by 41.8%, reduces the rate of BRCA-related cancers by 23.7%, generating over a 62-year observation period a cost increase by 2.51 €/Year/Person. Moreover, model 3 further increases BRCA carriers detection (+ 68.3%) and decrease in BRCA-related cancers (− 38.4%) is observed compared to model 1. Model 3 increases costs by 0.7 €/Year/Person. After one generation, the estimated ICER in the general population amounts to about 3800€ and 653€ in model 2 and model 3 respectively. Model 2 has a massive effect after only one generation in detecting carriers in the general population with only a small cost increment. The clinical impact is limited mainly due to the current low acceptance rate of risk-reducing surgeries. Further multicentric studies are required before implementing the integrated clinical-radiogenomic model in clinical practice.

Abstract Background Food insecurity (FI) is a major public health concern, due to its association with a variety of adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study is to provide a picture of the EU policy response and adherence to the international recommendations in terms of FI mitigation and prevention. Methods A scoping review was carried out based on PRISMA Extension for scoping reviews method. By using specific queries/keywords, Pubmed and Scopus were searched and also institutional databases: EUR-Lex, WHO Global Database on the Implementation of Nutrition. The search was supplemented by a review of a list of organizations’ official websites, including Cordis, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and World Food Programme. Results The search on PubMed and Scopus produced a list of 8 articles, 3 concerning agriculture policies in EU, 4 related to intervention on the school lunch and 1 focused on the introduction of a tax on unhealthy drinks. Based on the search on EUR-Lex and WHO Global Database on the Implementation of Nutrition, 4 EU-wide statutory policies were collected covering school meals, food loss reduction, food waste prevention and food crisis and humanitarian aid operations. The institutional website's review returned 18 documents in the form of ‘soft law’ measures, including action plans, action tools and projects. Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that currently, at EU level, a coherent specific policy framework on FI is lacking. The policy fragmentation is mainly due to the multidimensional nature of FI, which has interconnections with multiple and different areas of food system-food availability, food accessibility, food safety and food quality and healthiness. The outputs also show that to date EU has failed to adhere to the international recommendations (above all, WHO recommendations) on FI mitigation and prevention. This has significant implications in terms of public health. Key messages • Policies design and implementation have the potential to create living environments conducive to good health and to lead to concrete health gains. • Health gains resulting from strategies and policies implementation against FI reduce healthcare costs associated with the treatment of the FI-related diseases.

Abstract Background The International Working Group Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Literate Healthcare Organizations has developed an English-language self-assessment tool for Organizational Health Literacy of Hospitals, designed to quality managers of healthcare organizations. It aims to diagnose strengths and weaknesses of the organization's health literacy, and our goal is to translate and culturally adapt it for Italy. Methods We have been following the Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretesting, and Documentation team model for cross-cultural translation of questionnaires. Initially, two separate teams of translators worked independently to translate the tool from English to Italian. Next, the national coordinator organised six meetings to discuss, integrate, and unify the two versions, and any translation difficulties and suggested solutions were reported in the supporting tool that will be sent along with final agreed version of the tool to the International Coordination Centre. Finally, two experts will review the translation for the cultural adaptation. Results Difficulties related to comprehension in translation can arise from ambiguity in word choice, the need for contextual precision, and a lack of cultural appropriateness. The translation of English words that have become part of Italian language (e.g. ‘feedback', ‘stakeholder', ‘management', ‘standard') was also hugely discussed between the teams. Finally, to categorize the information entered into the supporting tool, 50% pertains to adaptation to context, 30% to simplification or clarification, and 20% to non-applicable items. Conclusions Cultural adaptation will improve the translation by reducing ambiguities, providing contextual clarifications, and rephrasing items to make them more appropriate for Italy. The Italian version of the tool will be piloted in local hospitals to support healthcare operators, patients, and the community in better managing the complexities of healthcare organizations. Key messages • Translation of health literacy self-assessment tool for Italian hospitals, aiming to reduce ambiguity and increase appropriateness for local context. • Culturally adapted tool to diagnose organizational health literacy in Italian hospitals will help healthcare organizations deal with complexity of healthcare and improve patient outcomes.

Background:Immediate breast reconstruction is recommended for eligible patients undergoing mastectomy, raising the issue of economic sustainability of both mastectomy and breast reconstruction performed within the same hospitalization, as opposed to two surgical procedures in two different hospitalizations.Study design:A retrospective analysis was conducted to compare economic sustainability of mastectomies with or without immediate breast reconstruction.Methods:Economic data on hospitalizations for mastectomy in a Teaching Hospital between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2021 were analyzed to assess their sustainability.Results:338 admissions were selected (63.9% with immediate breast reconstruction (CI 99%: 57.2% to 70.6%). Compared to mastectomy alone, mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction had higher cost of € 2,245 (p < 0.001), with operating rooms and devices as main cost drivers. Current reimbursements rates (which are the same for mastectomy alone and for mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction) led to an average loss of € 1,719 for each mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction.Conclusion:Current DRGs reimbursement rates for hospital admissions for breast cancer surgery do not guarantee immediate breast reconstruction's economic sustainability. DRGs system should be revised, or other solutions as bundled payment should be implemented in the light of the costs of innovation in healthcare, considering mastectomy and breast reconstruction steps in a path of linked actions aimed at improving patients' health.

Abstract Background Robotic surgery has many clinical advantages but high costs, raising the issue of healthcare sustainability. This study aims to a comparative analysis of the value, in terms of costs and outcomes, of robotic, laparoscopic, and laparotomy surgery for uterine cancer in a University Hospital. Methods An observational retrospective study was carried out on hospitalizations between 1 Jan 2019 and 31 Oct 2021 for uterine cancer surgery. DRG amount, costs, economic margins and 30-days readmissions percentage (mean values and 95% CIs) were calculated for robotic, laparoscopic and laparotomy surgery. Student’s t and Chi-square tests were used to assess differences and the break-even point was calculated. Results 1336 hospitalizations were analyzed, 366 with robotic, 591 with laparoscopic, and 379 with laparotomy surgery. Robotic surgery compared to laparoscopic and laparotomy ones showed a significant difference (p < 0,001) for economic margin, which was largely negative (-1069.18 €; 95%CI: -1240.44 - -897.92 €) mainly due to devices cost (3549.37 €; 95%CI: 3459.32 € - 3639.43 €), and a lower 30-days readmissions percentage (1.4%; 95%CI: 0.2% - 2.6%) with a significant difference only versus laparotomy (p = 0.029). Laparoscopic compared to laparotomy surgery showed a significantly (p < 0,001) more profitable economic margin (1692.21 €; 95%CI: 1531.75 € - 1852.66 €) without a significant difference for 30-days readmissions. The break-even analysis showed that, on average, for every uterine cancer laparoscopic elective surgery, 1.58 elective robotic surgeries are sustainable for the hospital (95% CI: 1.23 - 2.06). Conclusions The systematic application of the break-even analysis will allow defining over time the right distribution of robotic, laparoscopic and laparotomy surgeries’ volumes to perform in order to ensure both quality and economic-financial balance and therefore value of uterine oncological surgery in the University Hospital. Key messages • The value-based healthcare approach, defined as the measured improvement in a patient’s health outcomes in relation to its cost, finds effective application in uterine cancer surgery. • The use of the break-even approach allows to promote the value-based view by identifying a useful criterion for the planning and governance of interventions for uterine malignancies.

Background Hospitals have undergone important that changes that have led, in recent decades at the international level, to the need for greater integration between hospitals and local healthcare services. The main institutional networks that have been developed in Italy are, as commended by the institutional levels, of 4 main types: the Emergency-Urgency Network, the Time-Dependent Networks, the Oncological Networks, and the Networks with primary care settings. It was important to assess the state of the art and analyze it in relation to possible future developments. Objective The aim of the study was to collect insights from both evidence-based knowledge and personal experience gained by experts in the field regarding the current condition and possible future developments of hospital networks. Material and methods A qualitative research methodology was chosen. Four mini-focus group meetings were organized among participants with proven expertise on the subject. Discussions were guided by four open-ended questions corresponding to the four areas of interest. Directed content analysis was chosen as the methodology for data analysis and final reporting of results. Results Four main categories were explored: "hospital networks and complexity", "hospital networks complexity and the need for integration", "levers for hospital networks governance" and "the COVID-19 challenge and future developments for hospital networks". In particular, the participants found that it is important to understand healthcare systems as complex systems and, therefore, to study the properties of complex systems. In this way it is possible to achieve value-based healthcare in complex contexts. It is also necessary to keep in mind that complexity represents a challenge for coordination/ integration in hospital networks. Mintzberg identified specific mechanisms to achieve it. Of them, mutual adaptation is the key to self-organization. Valentijn showed the organizational levels on which coordination/integration has to be obtained. Hospital network governance should include both hierarchy and self-determination logic to achieve integration in each of the four levels. The participants identified three key levers for governing complex organizations: "education", which consists of multi-professional and multi-level training in governance in complex systems; "information" consisting in considering the data registering as an integral part of the clinical care process to informative value; "leadership", which consists in convincing actors, directed towards personal gains, to achieve valuable goals. Finally, the challenge that COVID-19 served as an incentive for future developments of hospital networks. Discussion Various common points between the definitions of network and complex systems can be found. It is important to study the properties of complex systems in order to achieve value-based healthcare in the hospital networks context. The insights gained should be useful for all professionals from and across all levels of healthcare organizational responsibility, being able to orient roles and actions to achieve coordination/integration inside hospital networks. Conclusions Complexity literature can help understand how to achieve coordination/integration in healthcare settings and find levers for effective governance. It is important to study the current situation to anticipate and, possibly govern, future developments. In conclusion, governance of hospital networks should be interpreted as coordination/integration inside and across multiple organizational levels of co-responsibility.

Government actions play a critical role in shaping healthy food environments, which can improve population's diet and decrease the burden of disease. This study aims to determine and compare the level of policy implementation for healthy food environments in Italy with reference to international benchmarks and make prioritized recommendations based on the identified implementation gaps. The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) tool from the International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) was adapted for the Italian context. This tool includes two components, thirteen domains and fifty good practice indicators, which were verified with experts from National Health Institute (NHI). Evidence for implementation was gathered and summarized for all fifty indicators from data sources such as governmental websites, non-government organizations publications and websites and via direct contact with government officials. After collecting all evidence, experts from the NHI verified the completeness and accuracy of it. The evidence document will be presented to stakeholders, aiming to seek consensus on the priority actions to be implemented by the Italian Government to improve food environments. The evidence for policy implementation concerning Italy varied among domains and indicators. We found the highest level of evidence within three domains: Food Composition (2/2 indicators), Food Labelling (3/4 indicators) and Food Promotion (4/5 indicators). The domains with less identified evidence were Food Prices (1/4 indicators), Food Retail (0/4 indicators), Food Trade and Investment (0/2 indicators) and Platforms and Interaction (1/4 indicators). The evidence summarization and the upcoming stakeholders' meeting to rate the level of implementation for each indicator in Italy, have the potential to improve government commitment to shape healthier food environments. Food environment policies, implemented by the government, play a key role in the health of the population, decreasing the burden of disease. Several food environment policies have been implemented and supported by the Italian government but there are still some priority actions to be taken towards healthier food environments.

Clinical risk management is a key area in terms of healthcare quality, especially within intensive-care settings and in the case of pediatric patients. The objective of this review is to assess the impact of tools for clinical risk management in pediatric intensive-care settings. Pubmed and Web of Science were queried to carry out a systematic review, using the PICO methodology (June 2019). Primary studies of applicative experiences of clinical risk management that had impacts in pediatric intensive care units were included. A total of 1178 articles were reviewed and 20 were included. Reactive risk management tools were used in 10 studies; proactive tools in 7; both reactive and proactive tools in 3. Sixteen studies out of 20 concerned drugs; other topics included: transition from hospital to primary care, hand hygiene, organizational aspects, human milk administration. Seven studies (35%) reported organizational impacts; Ten studies (50%) reported clinical and organizational impacts; Three studies (15%) reported organizational, clinical and economic impacts. The introduction of clinical risk management tools resulted in changes within the setting considered; combined use of reactive and proactive methodologies was highlighted in various studies, as well as an increasing focus on proactive tools, both drawing a growing trend over time.

Abstract Multimorbidity requires that many physicians shift the focus of the care they provide towards the management of multiple chronic conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mental illness. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the scientific evidence on the effects of Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT) on chronic patients' management in hospital settings, evaluating outcomes, costs and workload. Medline, Scopus and Ovid were queried for relevant articles using the Population-Intervention-Context-Outcome (PICO) model. Selected articles were assessed for quality and risk of bias using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and comparison among comorbid patients with at least one mental illness versus those without was performed using Chi-square test (p < 0,05). Out of 7332 records, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria and 85 indicators were identified: 52% improved significantly, 46% did not show any variation and 2% (nausea and delirium) worsened. In particular, in-hospital mortality was significantly reduced in 65% of the studies describing such indicator. The presence of a mental illness showed a statistically significant increase of length of stay (p < 0,05), hence related to a lower bed-day saving, while no statistically significant effect was observed on 30-day readmissions (p = 0,13). In addition, few studies highlighted that a higher workload leads to greater burn-out rates. MDT meetings represent a fundamental step in a complex path care. They are useful to discuss clinical cases to define their diagnosis and to formulate shared treatment plans in order to deliver personalized treatment options and appropriate follow-up. These findings should stimulate decision makers to invest in the development of MDT and further research should be conducted to evaluate team efficacy. Key messages Successful management of chronic diseases can be enhanced by Multidisciplinary Teams. Caregivers can be involved in this relational process to ensure a better path care.

Abstract Background Healthcare organizations are social systems in which human resources are generally the most important factor for the provision of care. In these contexts, leadership plays a key role in providing effective and efficient care and results in positive outcomes for professionals, patients and work environment. The aim of this review was to identify and analyze the knowledge present to date in literature concerning the correlation between leadership styles and nurses' job satisfaction. Methods A systematic review of the literature was carried out on Medline and CINAHL databases between June and October 2019 by using a specific search algorithm. The following inclusion criteria were set: focus on the impact of different leadership styles on nurses' job satisfaction; secondary care; nursing setting; full-text available; English or Italian language. Results 6681 titles, 410 abstracts and 57 full texts were analyzed. The 12 selected studies considered 7 leadership styles: Transformational, Transactional, Passive-Avoidant, Laissez-Faire, Resonant, Authentic and Servant. Four studies (33%) considered only 1 style, 3 studies (25%) 2 styles, 4 studies (33%) 3 styles and only one study (9%) considered 4 styles. Transformational and Transactional styles were the most represented (75% and 67% respectively). Most of the studies conducted (88%) showed a significant correlation, both positive and negative, between the adopted Leadership style and the nurses' job satisfaction. Conclusions In a complex and constantly evolving context, healthcare organizations need to guarantee not only technical and professional competence, but also satisfaction as a motivational lever for health workers. It is therefore necessary to identify and fill the gaps in leadership abilities as a present and future objective in order to positively affect health professionals' job satisfaction and therefore healthcare quality indicators. Key messages Job satisfaction plays a key role in healthcare and nursing as a motivational lever for health workers. Leadership styles directly impact on nurses' job satisfaction which in turn affects healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Abstract A Multidisciplinary Tumor Board (MTB) is a group of professionals from different clinical areas that meets to examine oncological patients to face multiple aspects of the pathology. MTBs represent an effective way for clinical decision making and management of complex diseases like cancer that needs an integrated approach. They have the potential to implement patient's care optimizing both evaluation and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and organizational impact and benefits of MTBs on breast cancer cases. The databases investigated to carry out the research were Pubmed and Web of Science. Only Italian and English articles focused on breast cancer patients evaluated through MTB approach were included. No time restriction was adopted. Articles about other types of cancer were not included; systematic reviews and non-peer reviewed papers such as editorial and commentaries were excluded from the study. The research found 5163 publications; duplicated records were omitted. 5086 articles were excluded through the analysis of title and abstract; after full text reading 52 studies were excluded. Only 25 publications fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two articles considered the impact of MTB on overall survival; 1 publication studied the effect of diagnostic changes; 7 articles examined the impact of MTBs on cancer treatment; 2 studies analysed the effects on clinical performance. Other publications examined secondary outcomes and indicators. MTB has been described to have a positive impact on breast cancer. It improves overall survival (substantial results for over 65), diagnostic accuracy (up to 65%) and treatment scheme making it more adherent to guidelines (28%-93,1%). Furthermore, MTB makes patient's management more functional and avoids inappropriate interventions. Further studies are needed to deepen on some topics such as the economic aspects and the importance of the participation of general practitioners to MTBs. Key messages MTB could improve patient’s care and clinical management of cancer. It is necessary to study if greater accuracy in patient’s management could have economic impact as it avoids inappropriate procedures.

Abstract Patients’ increasing needs and expectations demand for an overall assessment of hospital performances. Several Agencies described sets of performance indicators and there is not a unanimous classification. The ImpactHTA Horizon2020 Project wants to address this aspect, developing a toolkit of key indicators to measure hospital organizational performance. The aim of this review is to identify the dimensions of quality in which hospital performance indicators are grouped, and to assess if there has been an evolution over time of the above-mentioned dimensions. Following the PRISMA statement, PubMed, Ovid and Web of Science databases were queried to perform an umbrella review. Articles focusing on secondary care settings, published January 2000-May 2018 were considered. The study design included was systematic review. 3680 records were screened and 6 systematic reviews ranging 2002-2014 were included. The following dimensions were described in at least 50% of the studies: 6 studies classified efficiency (53 indicators analyzed); 5 studies classified effectiveness (12 indicators), patient centeredness (10 indicators) and safety (8 indicators); 3 studies responsive governance (2 indicators), staff orientation (8 indicators) and timeliness (4 indicators). 3 reviews did not specify the indicators related to the dimensions listed, 1 gave a complete definition of the meaning of each dimension and related indicators. The research shows steady awareness of the importance of patient centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, and safety dimensions; apparently, there is still not much attention to sustainability, appropriateness and accessibility in terms of indicators measuring, although those dimensions are described in one of the latest review. Another review described a new dimension, resources and capacity, which focuses on the availability of new technologies, underlining the growing importance of the adoption of digitalization in healthcare. Key messages Main dimensions of performance indicators: efficiency, effectiveness, patient centeredness, safety. More emphasis to sustainability and appropriateness to align with today’s healthcare challenges.

Abstract Background The Balanced-Scorecard (BSC) is a management tool developed in the early 1990s to balance the impact of financial and non-financial parameters and analyse the organisational performance in private companies according to four determinants. The original BSC has spread to different sectors in the last decades, including healthcare services, in numerous amended versions. The aim of our project was to identify potential indicators of BSC for performance evaluation in general hospitals. Methods We performed a systematic review of literature on Pubmed and Web of Science using the search string “balanced scorecard AND healthcare AND indicators”. We found 102 papers; 80 papers were removed for irrelevance, absence of full text or performance indicators. We only considered articles that followed the classic structure of BSC (Customer, Internal Processes, Financial, and Learning and Growth). The indicators listed in them were classified according to the four determinants of organisational performance. Results Eight articles out of 22 followed the classic structure of the BSC. The most represented category was Internal Processes (59 indicators), followed by Learning and Growth (52), Customer (40) and Financial (33). The number of common/overlapping indicators was low (5 for Internal Processes and 4 for the three other categories). Conclusions While BSC has spread to different settings, the list of indicators used in the classic four determinants for performance evaluation is heterogeneous. While common points can be identified between indicators, our review highlighted that every BSC is developed in a unique way which makes it difficult to identify a general framework adaptable to different hospital settings. Key messages The use of the Balanced Scorecard as management tool has spread to healthcare settings in the last decade. Indicators in BSC for healthcare settings are heterogeneous and only a limited number follow the standard structure of BSC.