The Sustainability of the Emergency-Urgency System in Italy A Structural Crisis Beyond the Threshold of Resilience
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Abstract
Italy’s emergency-urgency healthcare system is facing a critical structural and organizational crisis. Chronic staff shortages in Emergency Departments (EDs), Anesthesia, and Intensive Care Units threaten the sustainability and effectiveness of services. The Italian Society of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Medicine (SIMEDET) warns that relying solely on the extraordi-nary dedication of healthcare professionals is no longer viable. Urgent, systemic reforms are needed to address workforce deficits, optimize care networks, and strengthen both hospital and territorial services. This position paper outlines key proposals to restore resilience and equity in emergency care delivery across the country.
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