title: The Italian institutional accreditation model for Haemophilia Centres.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Italy, basic health needs of patients with inherited bleeding disorders are met by a network of 50 haemophilia centres belonging to the Italian Association of Haemophilia Centres. Further emerging needs, due to the increased life expectancy of this patient group, require a multi-professional clinical management of the disease and provide a challenge to the organisation of centres.In order to achieve harmonised quality standards of haemophilia care across Italian Regions, an institutional accreditation model for haemophilia centres has been developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  To develop an accreditation scheme for haemophilia centres, a panel of experts representing medical and patient bodies, the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Authorities has been appointed by the National Blood Centre. Following a public consultation, a technical proposal in the form of recommendations for Regional Health Authorities has been formally submitted to the Ministry of Health and has formed the basis for a proposal of Agreement between the Government and the Regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The institutional accreditation model for Haemophilia Centres was approved as an Agreement between the Government and the Regions in March 2013. It identified 23 organisational requirements for haemophilia centres covering different areas and activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Italian institutional accreditation model aims to achieve harmonised quality standards across Regions and to implement continuous improvement efforts, certified by regional inspection systems. The identified requirements are considered as necessary and appropriate in order to provide haemophilia services as "basic healthcare levels" under the umbrella of the National Health Service. This model provides Regions with a flexible institutional accreditation scheme that can be potentially extended to other rare diseases.
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calizzani
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Candura
authors.affiliation: Italian Federation of Haemophilia Societies (FedEmo), Rome, Italy Necstep Studio Associato, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Menichini
authors.affiliation: Italian Federation of Haemophilia Societies (FedEmo), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Romano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arcieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castaman
authors.affiliation: National Agency for the Regional Healthcare Systems, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamanna
authors.affiliation: Blood and Transplant Unit, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tamburrini
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fortino
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy IRCCS Ca' Granda Foundation Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanzoni
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Profili
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pupella
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Liumbruno
authors.affiliation: National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grazzini
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D017146:Models, Organizational; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards