Sardegna, salute e strutture: studio dei flussi dei pazienti nella Regione Sardegna mediante la teoria delle reti complesse [Use of the complex network theory to study inpatient flow between health facilities in Sardinia (Italy)]

Analysing the organizational structure and functioning of health systems is fundamental for improving healthcare services and for using available resources efficiently. In this study, data regarding the flow of hospital inpatients to and from the various healthcare facilities in the Sardinia Region (Italy) were analysed, by using techniques borrowed from the theory of complex networks. First data regarding the total number of patients were analysed, then data were analysed according to clinical specialty and finally a more detailed analysis was performed for the clinical specialties of general surgery, haematology, cardiology and ophthalmology. Factors that were found to influence patient transfers between hospitals in the healthcare network in Sardinia (Italy) are the type of route, including the distance to cover, and the type of specialty clinics present in the various facilities.