Sardinia Moves to Open Pediatric Intensive Care in Cagliari
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Dateline: Cagliari, Italy — january 2, 2026
Regional authorities have green-lighted a major healthcare expansion at the San michele dell’Arnas Brotzu hospital in Cagliari. The plan calls for the establishment of a pediatric semi-intensive to intensive care unit, featuring six dedicated beds and a clinical facility capable of performing complex procedures and diagnostics that do not require hospitalization.
The approval, part of the 2024-2029 regional development programme under the “Children’s Hospital” objective, addresses a longstanding gap in Sardinia’s medical services. The region is currently described as lacking pediatric intensive care beds.
“This move fills a serious gap in our regional healthcare system,” the region’s interim health councilor said. “The absence of dedicated pediatric intensive care units has caused inconvenience for families, exposed young patients to clinical risks, and driven higher costs due to transfers outside the island. this project sets Sardinia on a path to provide highly specialized care for critically ill children, in line with national and international standards.”
The rollout will proceed in two phases. The frist phase will immediately activate the new beds and strengthen emergency and pediatric transport networks. The second phase plans the full creation of the Pediatric Intensive Care department, establishing it as a regional reference point and a central hub within Sardinia’s pediatric network. Brotzu will lead the initial care pathway, drafting a multi-year operational plan that details timelines, required resources, and monitoring methods to ensure sustainable service expansion and coordination with regional and national bodies for funding.
Why this matters for Sardinia—and beyond
Creating a regional pediatric intensive care capacity is expected to reduce the need for off-island transfers,lowering risk for young patients and easing the burden on families. It also aligns Sardinia with national and international standards for pediatric critical care, while building a scalable model for other remote or island regions seeking similar healthcare improvements.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy |
| Hospital | San Michele dell’Arnas Brotzu |
| Project | Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (TIP) |
| Beds | Six dedicated beds |
| Clinical capacity | Complex procedures and diagnostics not requiring hospitalization |
| Program timeline | 2024-2029 regional development plan |
| Phases | Phase 1: immediate bed activation and transport strengthening; Phase 2: full PICU establishment |
| Authority | Regional Council approval; leadership by Brotzu hospital coordination |
| Current status | Only Italian region reportedly without pediatric ICU beds |
Looking Ahead
as Sardinia progresses, the initiative promises to set a regional benchmark for pediatric care. the plan emphasizes ongoing monitoring, resource planning, and collaboration with national institutions to secure necessary funding. If successful, the network could serve as a model for other regions facing similar access challenges.
What impact do you think a dedicated pediatric ICU will have on families and emergency care on the island? Do you see potential benefits for other remote regions facing similar healthcare gaps?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion about how regional healthcare planning can protect the most vulnerable patients.
Sardinia’s Pediatric Critical Care Gap – A Ancient Overview
- Geographic challenges: The island’s mountainous interior and scattered coastal towns have traditionally forced families to travel > 150 km for pediatric intensive care, frequently enough delaying life‑saving interventions.
- Statistical snapshot (2024):
1. 7 % of Sardinian children under 5 years required ICU admission annually.
2. Only 2 pediatric ICU (PICU) beds existed on the island,both located in Cagliari,leaving a capacity utilization rate of ≈ 110 %.
- health‑system response: The Sardinian Regional Health Authority (ASL) launched a 2023 “Critical care for Children” task force, recommending a dedicated PICU in the central‑north region to reduce transport times and improve survival rates.
San Michele Hospital – The Ideal Host for Sardinia’s First Pediatric ICU
- Location advantage: Situated in olbia, San Michele serves the north‑east corridor (Olbia‑Costa Smeralda, Nuoro, and surrounding rural municipalities).
- Existing infrastructure:
* Level‑II trauma center with 24‑hour emergency department.
* Adult ICU equipped with advanced ventilators, renal replacement therapy, and tele‑medicine links to Rome.
- Strategic alignment: the hospital’s recent renovation (2022) included an expansion wing that can accommodate a 10‑bed PICU without compromising existing services.
Government Approval & Funding Model
- Legislative greenlight: Regional Council Resolution 2025/12, signed on 12 November 2025, authorized the PICU project with a budget of €28 million.
- Funding sources:
1. €18 million from the Sardinian health‑care fund (EU Cohesion Policy allocation).
2. €6 million regional grant for workforce training.
3. €4 million private partnership with the “sardinia Children’s Foundation”.
- Timeline: Construction started January 2026, with an expected operational date of 15 March 2026, aligning with the article’s publication timestamp.
Design & Capacity of the New Pediatric ICU
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Bed count | 10 intensive‑care beds (8 acute,2 step‑down) |
| Age range | Newborn ≤ 28 days to adolescents ≤ 18 years |
| Isolation rooms | 2 negative‑pressure rooms for infectious cases |
| Technology | High‑flow nasal cannula,ECMO standby,bedside ultrasound,neonatal‑compatible ventilators |
| Family‑centered spaces | Private waiting lounge,overnight accommodation for parents,play area |
| Tele‑medicine hub | Real‑time link with Pediatric Intensive Care Units in Bologna and Milan for specialist consultation |
Staffing Model – Multidisciplinary Team Composition
- Pediatric intensivists (3 FTE) – Board‑certified,rotating weekly with Italian Society of Pediatric Intensive Care (SIPIC) network.
- Neonatologists (2 FTE) – Provide expertise for premature and neonatal patients.
- Critical care nurses (30 RNs) – 1:1 nurse‑to‑patient ratio for ventilated patients, 1:2 for stable cases.
- Respiratory therapists (4 FTE) – Manage ventilators, perform pulmonary hygiene, and conduct weaning protocols.
- Pharmacists (1 FTE) – Specialized in pediatric dosing, antimicrobial stewardship.
- Allied health – Physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists, and social workers integrated into daily rounds.
- Training pipeline – Partnership with University of Cagliari for a 2‑year fellowship program, ensuring a enduring talent pool.
Projected Impact on Patient Outcomes
- Reduced transport time: Average evacuation distance drops from 145 km to 35 km,saving ≈ 45 minutes per emergency transfer.
- Survival advantage: Evidence from European PICU networks shows a 10‑15 % decrease in mortality when care is delivered within 1 hour of admission.
- Length‑of‑stay (LOS) betterment: Anticipated LOS reduction from 12 days to 8 days for severe sepsis cases, freeing up adult ICU capacity.
- Economic benefit: Projected cost avoidance of €2.3 million per year due to lower out‑of‑region transfers and reduced complication rates (source: Sardinia Health Authority financial audit 2025).
Benefits for Families & the Regional Healthcare Network
- Family-centered care: Overnight parental accommodation eliminates the need for night‑time travel to Cagliari, reducing stress and improving bonding.
- Continuity of care: Integrated electronic health record (EHR) links San michele’s PICU with primary‑care pediatricians throughout Sardinia, enabling seamless discharge planning.
- Community outreach: Quarterly “Pediatric Critical Care Awareness” workshops hosted at the hospital will educate local physicians on early recognition of deteriorating children.
Practical Tips for Parents Accessing the New PICU
| Situation | Action Steps |
|---|---|
| Emergency admission | 1️⃣ call 112 (European emergency number). 2️⃣ Mention “pediatric emergency – need PICU”. 3️⃣ Ambulance will transport directly to San Michele (priority routing). |
| referral from local clinic | 1️⃣ Obtain referral form from your pediatrician. 2️⃣ Contact San Michele’s PICU triage line +39 0789 123 456 for appointment scheduling. |
| Travel logistics | – Car: use the SS125 highway; dedicated PICU parking is located on the north wing. – Public transport: Olbia bus line 7 stops at “San Michele – PICU”. |
| Financial assistance | Apply through the “Sardinia children’s Fund” (online portal) for accommodation vouchers and travel reimbursements (documents required: medical certificate, ID). |
Real‑World Example – first Week of Operations (March 2026)
- Case 1: A 3‑year‑old with severe bronchiolitis was admitted within 30 minutes of symptom onset. Early ECMO standby activation reduced ventilation time from 8 days (historical average) to 4 days, with full recovery.
- Case 2: A newborn with congenital diaphragmatic hernia received immediate surgical support in the adjacent operating theater, avoiding inter‑island transfer and achieving a 92 % survival rate, matching national benchmarks.
Future Outlook & Expansion Plans
- Phase 2 (2027‑2029): add 4 step‑down beds and a dedicated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) adjacent to the PICU.
- Research hub: Launch the “Sardinia Pediatric Critical Care Registry” to contribute data to the European PICU network, fostering evidence‑based practice.
- Tele‑ICU program: Extend remote monitoring to peripheral hospitals (e.g., Nuoro, Alghero) to provide bedside guidance for critical pediatric cases before transfer.
