Blood cancers: how innovation is transforming care in remote areas
Thanks to the network of community clinics and telemedicine, the Salerno Local Health Authority is also bringing oncohaematological infusion therapies to the local area
For many patients with blood cancers living in inland areas, treatment also means having to undertake long journeys to reach the hospital, placing a physical and emotional strain on them in addition to their illness. The Salerno Local Health Authority has chosen to address this need by bringing, for the first time, oncohaematological infusion therapies – traditionally reserved for hospitals – to the local area, thanks to the network of ‘Botteghe della Comunità’ and telemedicine.
The first trial, carried out in the municipality of Controne, demonstrates that it is possible to rethink the organisation of care whilst maintaining the same standards of safety and quality as hospital treatment.
Our province covers almost five thousand square kilometres and is characterised by a high degree of geographical dispersion. Many municipalities in the inland areas of Cilento are a long way from hospitals and are home to a particularly elderly population, who often suffer from multiple chronic conditions. In this context, the challenge is to make healthcare truly accessible.
Community Shops
For this reason, in line with the reorganisation of local healthcare services promoted by the Campania Region, a network of 27 community nursing clinics and a multi-specialist hub has been established, forming the ‘Botteghe della Comunità’ model, complementing the opportunities offered by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the National Strategy for Internal Areas.
Patient selection
Patients are selected according to strict criteria. These are people with haematological cancers, such as multiple myeloma, leukaemia and lymphoma, or with chronic non-malignant conditions in a stable phase of maintenance or consolidation therapy. The day before administration, the specialist conducts a telemedicine consultation, assesses the blood test results and confirms the patient’s suitability. The medicines are prepared at the Antiblast Medicines Unit at Pagani Hospital, transported via certified procedures to each individual Community Pharmacy and administered by specially trained community nurses, whilst the haematology team maintains continuous supervision via telemedicine, with an emergency doctor present on site during the observation period. The prescribing centre remains the patient’s clinical point of reference and is responsible for the entire care pathway.
