The 2025 edition of the National Outcome Plan (PNE), one of the most awaited tools for monitoring and improving the quality of the Italian healthcare system, has released the results that outline a complex picture of healthcare in Italy. While the analysis highlights significant progress, it also highlights persistent inequalities, particularly between the North and South of the country. In this context, 15 hospitals also emerged that stood out for their excellence in healthcare performance, obtaining very high results in all clinical areas evaluated.
The methodology and indicators of the 2025 PNE
In 2025, the PNE evaluated a total of 1,117 Italian hospital facilities, including public and private, based on 218 quality indicators. Of these, 189 concern hospital care, with a subdivision that includes 67 indicators relating to the outcome of treatments and processes, 101 indicators linked to the volumes of services and 21 linked to hospitalization. Added to these are 29 indicators relating to community care, which were indirectly evaluated in terms of avoidable hospitalization, long-term outcomes and improper access to emergency rooms.
This detailed methodology has shed light not only on the results obtained by hospital facilities, but also on the overall management of healthcare resources and the ability to respond to the needs of the population.
The 15 best performing hospitals in Italy
The 2025 edition of the PNE awarded the highest scores to 15 hospitals that stood out for the quality of care. These hospitals obtained “high” or “very high” ratings in all the areas examined, demonstrating how healthcare excellence in Italy is still a reality achieved by a few, selected structures. Here are the names of the 15 hospitals:
- Savigliano Hospital (Piedmont) – 8 areas assessed
- Mestre Hospital (Veneto) – 8 areas assessed
- Bolognini Hospital (Lombardy) – 6 areas assessed
- Montebelluna Hospital (Veneto) – 6 areas assessed
- Bentivoglio Hospital (Emilia-Romagna) – 6 areas assessed
- Città di Castello Hospital (Umbria) – 6 areas assessed
- Maggiore Hospital in Lodi (Lombardy) – 7 areas assessed
- Poliambulance Foundation (Lombardy) – 7 areas assessed
- Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital (Lombardy) – 7 areas assessed
- Humanitas Clinical Institute (Lombardy) – 7 areas assessed
- Cittadella Hospital (Veneto) – 7 areas assessed
- Fidenza Hospital (Emilia-Romagna) – 7 areas assessed
- POF Lots Pontedera plant (Tuscany) – 7 areas assessed
- Umberto I plant – GM Lancisi (Marche) – 7 areas assessed
- AOU Federico II of Naples (Campania) – 7 areas assessed
These hospitals have stood out for the quality of their treatments and their ability to maintain high standards in all areas analysed. This includes surgery, oncology, cardiology and other crucial areas of healthcare.
The divide between North and South
Despite the excellent performance of these structures, the 2025 PNE continues to detect important territorial inequalities. The gap between North and South is still evident, with many southern regions facing structural critical issues, especially in the areas of pregnancy, childbirth and cardiovascular disease management. In particular, 198 hospitals have been identified as in need of improvement interventions, with a concentration of these structures in the South. In addition to this, some northern regions, such as Lombardy, have also recorded critical issues, demonstrating that excellence is not always guaranteed, not even in the most advanced areas.
Cardiology, oncology and obstetrics: the key sectors
The analysis also highlighted the areas in which Italy has made significant progress. In cardiology, for example, the cardiac emergency network has proven effective in reducing the number of serious episodes, thanks to the specialization of hospitals in hub and spoke areas. Even in oncology, Italy has made progress, with particular excellence in breast cancer surgery, which went from 72% quality in 2015 to 90% in 2024. However, the disparity persists in other areas, such as the management of caesarean sections, which remains too high, particularly in the South, where the values recommended by the World Health Organization are often exceeded.
The future of healthcare in Italy
Despite progress, the Italian healthcare system still faces several challenges. In particular, technological innovation, such as the use of robotics in orthopedics and urology, is bringing significant benefits, but there are still many gaps, especially in the management of chronic diseases, such as heart failure and diabetes, which continue to generate high hospitalization rates.
The PNE 2025 demonstrates that the Italian healthcare system is making progress, but a continuous updating of regulations and a reorganization of primary care is necessary, as outlined in ministerial decree 77 of 2022. Only in this way will it be possible to truly bridge the gap between the different areas of the country and guarantee all citizens fair and timely access to high-quality care.
In summary, although Italy can boast excellent hospitals, it is essential to continue to improve and address territorial disparities, ensuring a more equitable future for the entire national healthcare system.
