[Review and evaluation of waiting time indicators used in Italy]. / Valutazione degli indicatori utilizzati in Italia per il monitoraggio delle liste d'attesa.

In this study, a set of 15 indicators that are used to provide information on waiting times for medical services and procedures were evaluated. Each waiting time indicator was evaluated with respect to 14 criteria and given a score. The indicator "waiting time estimated through past performance" reached the highest score with respect to all others. This indicator is calculated by dividing the total number of individuals waiting for a medical procedure by the number of procedures performed in the facility in the previous month. The result is multiplied by thirty and expressed in days. This indicator can be used even in non-computerized facilities. It allows easy data accounting (at all levels, i.e service, facility, healthcare unit, area, regional and national level) and provides useful information for citizens/users.

[Waiting lists: case management and an alternative reimbursement paradigm]. / Liste di attesa: la strategia della presa in carico e ipotesi di tariffazione alternativa.

Long-waiting lists to undergo preliminary medical examinations and treatments are a tough problem for western countries. Many actions and programs have been taken to offer more health services, which initially shortened the waiting lists. However, after this initial alleviation, the later demand for further diagnostic examinations inevitably creates subsequent increases in diagnostic service waiting times. In this article the authors suggest some solutions to manage this problem: creating organized procedures for case management, homogeneous waiting-list reporting systems, outpatient procedures for white triage and diagnostic services opening overtime during non-working days. An alternative form of reimbursement is also suggested.