Hidden Nursing Care” (HNC) negli ambulatori a gestione infermieristica: I risultati preliminari dello studio esplorativo osservazionale descrittivo multicentrico sul territorio italiano (ENLIGHT-Amb)

Introduction: Nursing activities in outpatient settings ensure continuity of care and improved clinical outcomes but the ways in which they are delivered to citizens and the common system of attribution are not clear. This leads to the phenomenon known as Hidden Nursing Care. Objectives: To record, describe and measure the nursing activities provided in outpatient services in Italy. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted using a structured survey consisting of 30 questions administered to nursing coordinators/leads and through semi-structured web interviews with nursing managers. Results: The study involved 23 healthcare organizations across 12 Italian regions, surveying a total of 220 outpatient clinics. In 2023, 1.380.337 services were provided to 449.224 patients. Most of the clinics are located within hospital and were officially established through Corporate Resolutions or Departmental Organizational Documents (N = 57; 28,5% each). 42,3% (N = 93) of the clinics fall under medical specialties. “General Nursing Outpatient Clinic” emerged as the most represented category (N = 103; 46,8%). Venous blood sampling was the most frequently provided service (N = 471.836; 34,2%). From the 12 interviews conducted with managers from 8 different regions, it emerged that responsibility for nursing outpatient clinics is often not assigned to nursing managers, and there is no system in place for attributing the costs incurred and revenues generated. Discussion and conclusions: The collected data of this preliminary report, while representing a knowledge contribution of the Hidden Nursing Care pointed out the absence of specific standardized procedures for their delivery and allocation. The introduction of a recognized fee schedule could improve resource allocation, streamline processes, and potentially reduce waiting times.