Project R. Evolution for improving clinical research in Italy: challenges and strategies.

Objective: The R.Evolution project aimed to reach a consensus on the main challenges of conducting clinical research in Italy and possible strategies and approaches to address them and optimize clinical research management.

Methods: A scientific board of experts initially discussed potentially critical areas in clinical research conduct and further explored them through an online national survey.

Early discharge of infectious disease patients: an opportunity or extra cost for the Italian Healthcare System?

In order to assess the economic benefits of an early discharge (ED) programme for patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) in terms of hospital and regional authority costs, an economic analysis was conducted comparing two possible alternatives: standard hospital management vs. an ED strategy followed by a period of outpatient management. Utilization of resources and costs were derived from the literature and expert panel evaluation.