Emanuela Foglia

Objective: Microbiology laboratories face increasing challenges related to rising sample volumes, workforce constraints, and the need for improved diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) has emerged as a transformative solution to optimize workflows, enhance safety, and improve resource utilization. This study focuses on urine cultures and the follow-up of positive blood cultures and evaluates the impact of TLA implementation in a microbiology laboratory, assessing efficiency, economic sustainability, and healthcare professionals’ perceptions. Methods: A Health Technology Assessment (HTA) approach was employed, integrating real-life data from a single-center hospital laboratory in Italy before and after TLA implementation. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were defined through a literature review and expert consensus. Real-life data were collected over two time periods: the pre-automation phase (manual workflow) and post-automation phase (TLA) for urine culture and positive blood culture. The economic and organizational impact was assessed by quantifying human resource efforts, while a qualitative survey captured healthcare professionals’ perceptions regarding automation. Results: TLA significantly reduced sample processing times, with a 67% decrease in check-in time and a significant reduction in inoculation (up to 100%) and plate reading (−69%) times, respectively. Economic analysis indicated a 67% reduction in costs for personnel time required to process urine cultures and perform initial workups of positive blood cultures on annual basis with consequent organizational benefits, in terms of time spent in sample processing (−71%). Healthcare professionals reported improved safety and reduced workload, making them more inclined to adopt TLA, perceived as useful and capable to offer high-quality and demonstrable results. Conclusion: Findings emphasize TLA potentialities in the management of microbiology procedures overall improvement, empowering the laboratory efficiency and organizational capacity, allowing better investment of the human resources involved.

In the light of current institutional pressures concerning sustainable development, Circular Economy principles emerge as an opportunity to mitigate environmental impacts, ensuring also economic and societal outcomes. The study investigates the adoption of circular principles within the New Product Development processes of the healthcare manufacturing sector, exploring how companies incorporate circular practices when developing healthcare technologies and identifying the required core competencies and resources. Adopting the theoretical lenses of New Product Development and Resource-Based View, the significance of integrating circular practices throughout the technological development process is highlighted, considering the innovation process and the capabilities required to overcome sector-specific barriers. A multiple case study approach is adopted, and research findings provide a detailed framework prioritizing competencies and resources. Moreover, the study identifies the regulatory context as a contextual input, permeating the innovation process and revealing the necessity to adhere to regulatory standards. Contributing to the knowledge at the intersection between circular economy, innovation and healthcare management, the study shows how the adoption of circular thinking shapes the dynamics of conceiving new healthcare technologies, providing also a practical framework aimed at helping managers to allocate capabilities, designing targeted interventions and guiding both strategic and operational choices in sustainable healthcare technology development.

Healthcare professionals’ well-being is increasingly recognized as a critical organizational priority, given the risks posed by rising workloads, staff shortages, and burnout to the sustainable delivery of high-quality care. However, limited evidence exists on how work environments and technology adoption influence the healthcare professionals’ well-being across hospital settings. This study explores healthcare professionals’ perceptions of psychological and physical safety, professional engagement, and mental well-being. It also assesses the role of technology in fostering a culture of safety and well-being. A cross-sectional qualitative anonymous online survey was distributed across 13 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa, targeting professionals working in hospital pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, and ward settings. The questionnaire, available in five languages, included validated items. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with subgroup analyses by setting and region. Responses were collected between February and August 2024. A total of 449 healthcare professionals participated. The sample presented a positive perception of psychological safety (61%) and professional engagement (55%). However, 27% of responders frequently experienced work-related stress, with 40% feeling exhausted, 25% reporting mental distance, and 23% cognitive impairment. Perceived physical safety was generally high (70%), although ward staff reported higher exposure to stress and interpersonal aggression. Overall, 58% of responders expressed satisfaction with their professional quality of life. Technology was perceived to enhance efficiency, safety, and collaboration. However, its impact was dependent on the quality of implementation and level of organizational support. Results may inform strategic interventions and policies aimed at promoting a resilient and sustainable workforce.

Healthcare systems are challenged to balance high-quality care with growing demands for green transition. Within the Italian context, PNRR encourages targeted investments and reforms promoting sustainability, resilience, and innovation in healthcare, while hospitals encounter barriers such as regulatory constraints, cultural resistance, and limited resources. This paper investigates how Italian hospitals are integrating environmental sustainability practices in response to increasing institutional pressures on environmental issues and green objectives achievement. Adopting a qualitative multiple case study approach, the paper examines four healthcare organizations varying in size, location, and sustainability degree. Results identify three organizational profiles: pioneers, regulatory responders and fragmented adopters. Sustainable practices mainly involve energy efficiency, waste management, and green mobility, but their implementation is influenced by internal resources, cross-functional competencies, and external incentives. The preliminary results show that sustainability in healthcare requires more than technological solutions, demanding organizational adaptation, skill development, and institutional alignment supporting a systemic and long-term transformation.

Il settore sanitario sta vivendo una profonda trasformazione spinta da cambiamenti normativi, organizzativi e tecnologici che impongono nuovi modelli di erogazione dei servizi, sempre più orientati alla prossimità, al territorio e alle cure domiciliari. In questo contesto, l’innovazione può esprimere tutto il suo valore solo se accompagnata da un ripensamento dei processi e delle strutture organizzative, supportato da strumenti di monitoraggio e gestione delle performance. I professionisti che operano oggi in sanità dispongono davvero degli strumenti necessari per affrontare queste sfide? Le competenze cliniche e tecniche, pur indispensabili, sono sufficienti per governare la complessità del sistema? Il volume risponde a queste domande, proponendo metodologie avanzate di management, dalla mappatura e gestione dei processi al lean management, dal business process reengineering al project management, integrate da esempi concreti e casi applicativi. Un percorso pratico di «pillole di management» pensato per professionisti con background diversi, orientato a migliorare efficienza, qualità e valore dei servizi sanitari.