Health IT Failures Spark Criticism, Calls for Reform

Persistent IT system failures within the regional health authority continue to draw criticism, prompting calls for immediate solutions. The director general of the health authority, Antonio Ferro, acknowledged the disruptions, which have impacted services like blood collection points, emergency rooms, and radiology. He announced three corrective measures, quoting historical figures like Don Puglisi and Machiavelli to frame the challenges of innovation. However, some regional councilors, Paolo Zanella and Francesca Parolari, deemed his statements "over the top and disrespectful." Giovanni de Pretis, president of the Order of Physicians, distanced himself from the polemics, stating the director general is not solely to blame. He emphasized that while Ferro's words might be strong, the core message is clear: the new IT system is problematic, but returning to the old system is not an option. De Pretis stressed the need for solutions that go beyond emergency fixes, advocating for a stronger, consistent relationship between IT departments and clinicians. "This should be the rule," he stated, believing it would reduce future risks. He suggested that clinicians should be more involved from the outset in evaluating IT choices and performance, a step that has been lacking. This lack of involvement, he warned, increases the risk of problematic, slow, or underperforming systems. Regional councilor Mario Tonina echoed the urgency, stating that the problems must be resolved for the benefit of the community. He expressed frustration, noting that patients are directly affected, sometimes having to return home, and that staff are under increasing pressure. Tonina urged Ferro to address these issues directly with his management team.