Low Cost and Human- Centered Innovations in Healthcare Services: A Case of Excellence in Italy

This chapter focuses on a change effort for introduction of an e-governance innovation in the operating room management of a medium-sized Italian hospital, which led to higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness at once. The innovative project has made all the stages of the surgical process transparent, highlighting where there is an opportunity to improve overall performance via the introduction of organizational and process innovations. New techniques implemented and the specific factors that led to the hospital’s success in achieving improved outcomes at lower costs are discussed. The chapter concludes by highlighting that low cost and human-centricity are amongst the key characteristics of success of this innovation.