Fondazione Don Gnocchi: a legacy of innovation and care
Established in 1952 by Don Carlo Gnocchi, the Fondazione Don Gnocchi began with the mission of providing care, rehabilitation, and social integration to individuals affected by polio and physical disabilities. Over the decades, the Foundation has evolved into a prominent healthcare institution, achieving IRCCS (Institute for Hospitalization and Care of a Scientific Nature) status in 1991. Today, it operates across nine regions in Italy, managing 38 centers with over 3,700 beds and employing approximately 6,000 professionals, including employees, freelancers, and collaborators.
Its diverse settings span clinical, medical, rehabilitative, and home care services. To manage its vast and heterogeneous operations, the Foundation utilizes advanced digital tools like Cloud Office 365 and national inter-center networks. This commitment to leveraging technology supports its extensive and diverse administrative processes, ranging from regional to national levels.
The Challenge
The Need for Digital Transformation
In response to its operational complexity, Fondazione Don Gnocchi recognized the need to modernize administrative and care processes. The challenge was clear: transitioning from traditional face-to-face recognition and handwritten signatures to secure, digital alternatives. This shift aimed to ensure compliance, streamline workflows, and enhance the user experience for both staff and patients.
The solution? The integration of the Italian Electronic Identity Card (CIE) into daily operations. With the support of Cyberneid, the Foundation adopted the CIE as a tool for Advanced Electronic Signature (FEA) and identity management, enabling efficient and secure document authentication in administrative, medical, and rehabilitative contexts.
The Solution
Leveraging Advanced Electronic Signature with CIE
Central to this transformation is the adoption of the Italian Electronic Identity Card (CIE) as a tool for Advanced Electronic Signature (FEA) and identity management. Cyberneid’s “Firmo con CIE” platform enables:
- Desktop Integration: Utilizing smart card readers and dedicated software to facilitate secure document signing on computers.
- Mobile Accessibility: Leveraging NFC-enabled smartphones and a user-friendly app to ensure flexibility and ease of use.
This integration, built on the eIDAS regulation framework, enables efficient document management for administrative, medical, and rehabilitation processes while maintaining compliance with EU standards.
The Results
Benefits across the board
The adoption of FEA through CIE offers numerous advantages:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces expenses compared to alternative digital signature methods, such as Qualified Electronic Signatures (FEQ), which are reserved for critical use cases like diagnostic reports.
- Scalability: Supports thousands of users, including employees, caregivers, and patients, ensuring widespread accessibility.
- Streamlined Workflows: Simplifies document management across various departments, freeing up resources for patient-centric activities.
- Enhanced Security: Provides robust authentication mechanisms, safeguarding sensitive data.
Looking Ahead
A model for innovation
The collaboration between the Don Gnocchi Foundation and Cyberneid exemplifies how technology can address complex healthcare challenges. By digitizing document management and enhancing identity verification processes, the Foundation not only improves operational efficiency but also delivers better patient outcomes. This groundbreaking initiative earned the prestigious SMAU Innovation Award in 2022, highlighting its impact on the healthcare sector.
The success of this project paves the way for broader adoption of digital solutions in healthcare. As the Don Gnocchi Foundation continues to lead by example, its partnership with Cyberneid stands as a testament to the power of innovation in transforming challenges into opportunities.
