With the beginning of 2018, a new model for taking care of patients suffering from chronic diseases is being launched in Lombardy. Chronic diseases are widespread worldwide and include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic diseases of the respiratory system, but also mental illnesses, disorders of the gastro-system, intestinal and musculoskeletal disorders, sihnt and hearing defects and the genetic pathologies. Having a chronic illness means living together over time (sometimes forever) with one or more diseases that, if well controlled and managed, often allow a good quality of life.
In Lombardy there are 3.5 million patients with a chronic disease, about 30% of the population. This number is expected to increase in the next years. The increased quality and accessibility of health services, the prevention of risk factors, the increase in early diagnosis have contributed to raise life expectancy. But this increased longevity also results in an increase in patients suffering from chronic diseases.
The Lombard Health System has therefore developed a specific treatment path for patients with chronic diseases. As a matter of fact, the increase in chronicity called for a change in the ways, times and processes of providing health services.
How does the new model work?
The chronic patient, if he wishes to adhere to the new model, is called to choose a trustworthy manager (General Medicines/paediatric doctors, public and private health and social health facilities accredited) who will take charge of the management of his therapeutic path, programming performances and interventions of treatment and prescribing the drug therapies. By doing so, the patient is relieved from the responsibility to book visits and examinations.
Patient and medical manager form a one-year care pact. Together they will plan the individual care plan: all the health and social-health interventions (visits, examinations, drugs) that the patient will need during the year to manage his chronic illness, thus ensuring appropriate care, regular and punctual checks.
Humanitas San Pio X is among the hospitals adherent to the new model for cancer patients.
How do you join?
Region of Lombardy will send to chronic patients a letter signed by the territorial ATS, in which the benefits of the new system and the indications to adhere to the project will be explained. Once the letter has been received, the citizen will have to contact the call center of Lombardy region (calling the toll-free number 800.638.638) or consulting the www.regione.lombardia.it site to communicate both the will to join the project and the choice of the structure.
Humanitas will receive from Lombardy region the names of the citizens that have chosen it as manager. Only after the region has sent the data, the patients will be contacted directly by Humanitas Customer Service to formalize the choice and tighten the Care Pact. The pact has an annual duration which is not tacitly renewed.
For further information, please consult the Lombardy Region website:http://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/portal/istituzionale/HP/servizi-e-informazioni/cittadini/salute-e-prevenzione/presa-in-carico-delle-patologie-croniche
or contact toll-free number 800.638.638.