Restructuring of Healthcare System in Italy during COVID-19

Abstract

The rise of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused unprecedented public health responses worldwide. To prevent hospitals from oversaturating, nations are restructuring their healthcare systems to prioritize limited resources and care for the treatment of COVID-19-infected patients. The Italian healthcare system, for example, converted numerous hospital services to Intensive Care Units, redeployed physicians to short-staffed centers, and centralized medical services to a small number of hospitals to meet the pandemic’s demands. While this restructuring served the nation’s short-term healthcare needs, it impeded access to care for non-COVID-19 patients suffering from acute or chronic non-communicable diseases, such as strokes. These patients are at increased risk of long-term disability and poorer adherence to management plans and have an increased likelihood of disease recurrence. This commentary discusses the ethical dilemma surrounding the necessary healthcare restructuring and unintended impairment of care to non-infected patients. It also explores the need for national public health officials to reassess strategies employed during the pandemic and their need to focus on creating ethical frameworks for maximizing equitable care.