Retrospective and Spatial Analysis in Healthcare Facilities: Measuring the New Hospital Giannina Gaslini Performance

The contribution consist in a first-step study to propose a novel spatial index to quantify the impact of hospital layouts on paediatric patient's overall experience, emphasizing care pathway efficiency. The Composite Pathway Index (CPI) integrates empirically weighted floor-plan-measurable parameters determined through working groups with healthcare professionals experienced in patient and visitor flows. The methodology was applied to the IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, in Genoa, transitioning from a fragmented 1930s multi-pavilion model to an integrated platform-layout organized by care intensity, centred on a new building. Analysis focused on Emergency Department (ED) to Radiology Department (RD) routes, stratified by patient type, from n=81 ED accesses during the study period. The future hospital configuration yields marked improvements: CPI reductions of 62% for emergency paths, 34% for reduced-mobility, and 33% for autonomous patients. The Patient-Centred Route Score (PCRS), weighting CPI by real patient flows from electronic health records, aggregates performance: 0.885 (current) vs. 0.247 (future), where lower scores indicate more accessible paths and enhanced experience. Findings demonstrate efficiency gains, reduced navigation burden, and improved patient experience, supporting hospital redevelopment strategies.