Erminia
Macera Mascitelli
In
Italy, the first Specialized School for Perfusionists was created in 1973 at the
University School of Rome. Until 1973 surgeons and nurses trained as
perfusionists. Until 1977, when the second school was begun in Verona no other
institutions were enabled to release a degree on cardiovascular perfusion. In
the 1980s, other university schools were started in Chieti, Milan, Genova,
Siena. The correct name of these schools were: University Specialized School for
Cardiac Surgery Techinician. These
schools are conducted directly from Faculty of Medicine: number of partcipants
is restricted, act n.910/69 art.1 DPR 162/82 art.6.
From
1973 to 1984, both students with high-school diploma and nurses, who had a
shorter school curriculum (2 years versus 5 years high-school), could enter to
the perfusion school which lasted for 2 years. After 1984, only people with
high-school diploma or nurses could be admitted to these schools. In 1988,
Presidential Act, changed the university regulations, and modified the Special
University School for Cardiac Surgery Technician
in " Specialized University School of Cardiocirculatory Physiopathology
Technicians ".
Actual
admission criteria is a high-school diploma and course duration is 3 years. With
the new program, the student spend 400 hours in classes, while the additional
practical part of the course training is performed in operating rooms, in the
Intensive Care Unit and in the Cardiology Laboratory where diagnostic and
interventional cases are done. The theory is mainly referred to the anatomy and
pathology of the heart and lungs, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology,
haemodynamics, the rheology of fluids, blood treatment, sterility, artificial
oxygenation, filtration, post operative progress, english language and knowledge
of the various perfusion methods and their possibilities.
At
the end of the three years period the training course is officially concluded if
the student passes the examination on the related subjects and the final
examination (written and oral) is held in front of the Directory of the
University School. The diploma allows the perfusionist to work in public and
private Hospitals, to perform research and to take teaching jobs in Universities
and Hospitals where not only perfusion technicians but also physicians, surgeons
and nurses are trained. From 1988 The Minister of Health in agreement with
Italian Society of Perfusionists (ANPEC) provide to carry out the university
reform: to transform the Special University Schools already in existance, in
" University Graduate Degree", act 314/1990, art.7, november 19.
Afterwards, according to act 42 ( art.4) february 2, 1999 the Minister of Health
established that the University Diploma achieved at the School For
Cardiocirculatory Physiophatology Technicians
had the same value as the " University Graduate Degree". In May
2001, finally the School for Cardiocirculatory PhYsiophatology
Techinicians" was transformed into "Medical Degree in Cardiovascular
Physiophatology and Cardiovascular
Perfusioni".
The
duration of the school is now 3 years, but the program in perfusion sciences is
more complete. To be admitted to the school candidates must pass a multiple
choice question test. The program of the new school will include didactic
training, clinic observation, laboratory experience and research, the sudent
will continue to participate in clinical procedures under the direct and
constant supervision of a certified clinical perfusionist. The new university
school committed to all aspects of the education and training of highly
qualified perfusionists..The training course lasts 3 years (6 semesters). It
consists of lessons and practical training. Every lesson and practice time gives
credits to the student. 1 credit equals 25 hours. The student needs to achieve
60 credits per year for a total of 180 credits at the end of the course. The
student will be trained by a tutor during the lesson and practice. To substain
the final exam and achieve the medical degree the student has to substain and
pass all the exams of the training course. It is mandatory to attend lessons and
practice time.
Once
the degree is taken the neo-perfusionist can find a job either in a public
institution through an examination or in private with a contract institution.
The
course has the aim to train cardiovascular perfusion technicians. They have to
achieve the medical knowledge and the practical skills to manage the
extracorporeal circulation and circulatory support. Furthermore, cardiovascular
perfusion technicians have to achieve the competence to set-up and manage all
the components of the devices used for extracorporeal circulation.
Continued
education built by the ANPEC and the Hospitas.
Now,
the new university schools are open in Milan, Pavia, Roma, Verona and Siena.
Today
in Italy exist about 80 public and private cardiac surgery departments and there
is an increase of the number of cases in ECC of about 8% per year, about 250
perfusionists work in these departments and about 80% of the Italian
perfusionists have successfully
completed and got the exam of the European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
Under
ANPEC guide many objectives have been reached and many tasks fulfilled, but yet
further improvement can be achieved in the field of a recognized
full autonomy to the professional figure of the perfusionist.
The
primary goal of our association is to promote complete laws and rules in Italy
in harmony with the European rules. The special goal was the official
acknowledgment of our profession and the university degree, in order to
safeguard ourselves in our professional jobs, and the rights of citizens to get
health care. ANPEC is also interested in professional training, economic
problems. Today the Italian perfusionists and ANPEC are satisfied of the results
obtained.
Since
the first school was instituted, 28 years have
elapsed and a long hard job has been carried out to give to the Italian
perfusionist the rule and the knowledge that belong to this figure in the field
of the Italian Medical structure.
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