[Evaluation of the healthcare continuity quality in Umbria (Italy)]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of hospital-territorial services relationship and community care to ensure continuity of care and to avoid, or reduce, the risk of hospitalization for complications or problems in the Health Districts of Umbria region (Italy). They are considered some of the outcome indicators proposed by the Assessment Document on Determinants of Health and the Strategies of the SSR, sponsored by the Region of Umbria in 2004 and based on Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Indicators : the rate of unplanned readmission to hospital within 28 days after hospitalization for hip fracture, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, asthma, and the rate of hospitalization for chronic complications of diabetes, pneumonia and influenza. The most significant feature is the marked variability between different districts of the region. This variability requires careful verification, as well as the quality of intra-hospital, also the quality of the relationship hospital-territorial services and the different skills and ways of taking care of patients by the health district. To reduce the risk of rehospitalization/readmission not programmed for specific diseases, even considering that this risk is influenced by various determinants, it is desirable to improve the quality of community services.