EHTEL member, Engineering, explains its 10-year role going forward in expanding Italy’s telemedicine services.
Italy’s National Telemedicine Platform (PNT) connects the country’s central administration with local administrations. It aims to govern and supervise telemedicine processes implemented at the regional level with a central level, in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Mission 6 of the plan outlines the nation’s plans for the digitisation of health. Objectives include the provision of community homes and hospitals, operational centres for remote assistance, and 3,000+ pieces of new equipment.
The main goals of the PNT are to:
- Make healthcare more accessible and inclusive.
- Improve people’s quality of life.
- Streamline the work of healthcare professionals.
- Drive forward innovation in healthcare organisations, and throughout the country.
The PNT platform is complementary to another Italian project initiative called the Regional Telemedicine Infrastructure (IRT). This initiative aims to establish regional infrastructures designed to provide basic telemedicine services like “televisits”, teleconsultation, telemonitoring/telecontrol, and teleassistance.
In this wider context, the PNT plays the role of providing:
- An enabling platform for the delivery of telemedicine services.
- A data collection, analysis, and monitoring system for the performance of telemedicine services nationwide, supporting decision-making and governance at the central level.
- A validator of local solutions / regional telemedicine infrastructures.
- A support mechanism for harmonising telemedicine processes to promote the rapid dissemination of best technical and organisational practices.
The PNT initiative began in March 2023, and has a ten-year duration. It is now in its second year of consolidation since its launch. At the end of 2025, PNT will enter into its full operational phase which will continue until the end of the agreement. During this period, the platform will continue to expand its services in line with the digital healthcare evolution.
What is the general context underpinning the PNT?
The initiative takes place in a context where healthcare and assistance services are increasingly shifting towards a decentralised model. The aim is to support and treat patients at home or in nearby facilities. Accordingly, the PNT is tasked with aiding the monitoring of processes and services already active nationwide in Italy. The overall initiative is focused on the planning, governance, and development of telemedicine services in an evolving digital healthcare landscape.
About Engineering
Engineering is the Digital Transformation Company, a leader in Italy. It is expanding its global footprint and has around 14,000 associates, with over 80 offices spread across Europe, the United States of America, and South America offering global delivery. The Engineering Group consists of over 70 companies in 21 countries. It has been supporting the continuous evolution of companies and organisations for more than 40 years. Thanks to its deep understanding of business processes in many market segments, Engineering is fully leveraging the opportunities offered by advanced digital technologies and proprietary solutions.
More information about Engineering in this EHTEL spotlight and on its official website.
What is Engineering doing in PNT Italia?
Engineering holds a 60% stake in PNT Italia, the project company established in 2023 by Engineering and Almaviva, an Italian group leader on information and communication technology. Italy’s National Agency for Regional Health Services (AGENAS) has granted PNT Italia the concession for designing, developing, and managing Italy’s National Telemedicine Platform. The platform integrates regional services to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services throughout the country.
In addition to standard integration and maintenance, the Engineering team has developed diagnostic and monitoring tools specifically designed for the PNT and the continuously evolving healthcare ecosystem. It implements customised integration modules to ensure seamless connectivity with the system infrastructure, and continuously optimises performance through rigorous testing and iterative updates.
What's in PNT for other EHTEL members?
The implementation of the PNT uses a comprehensive suite of internationally recognised healthcare interoperability standards. They include standards such as HL7® FHIR®, Clinical Document Architecture (CDA), and the World Health Organization’s ICD-9-CM. This use of standards ensures full alignment with other regulatory and project initiatives at both national and European levels.
Presented in the EHTEL context, this experience can contribute to:
- The analysis of challenges posed by objectives focused on interoperability and standards.
- The identification of models, solutions, and pathways for overcoming such challenges.
