Azienda Ospedale University of Padua among the best hospitals in the world: innovation and new investments in care

The Azienda Ospedale University of Padua has once again confirmed its place among the centres of excellence in Italian and international healthcare, entering the exclusive top 250 worldwide in the World’s Best Hospitals 2026 ranking published by Newsweek. The Azienda is ranked 127th out of 2,500 public and private healthcare facilities across 32 countries.

The assessment takes into account a range of indicators, including clinical research and phase 1 studies, recommendations from expert medical professionals, data on the quality of care management and treatment, patient experience, and clinical outcome measures.

Among the specialties contributing to the Azienda’s position, Urology stands out, confirming itself as first in Italy and among the world leaders. Important results were also achieved by Pulmonology, for its research and treatment activity in respiratory diseases, by Gastroenterology, included among the leading Italian centres and in the international ranking, and by Cardiology and Cardiac surgery, which are recognised among the leading departments at national level.
 

A new organisation of the dialysis activity of the UOC Nephrology

This growth path goes hand in hand with investments aimed at improving care and personalising treatment. In this context comes the new organisation of the dialysis activity of the UOC Nephrology, headed by Federico Nalesso, developed according to a model based on continuity of care, integration with local services, and the clinical needs of each individual patient.

The network has a total of 54 treatment stations: 40 dedicated to chronic dialysis at Ospedale Sant’Antonio, 8 mainly intended for acute patients at the via Giustiniani site, and 6 at the Centro ad Assistenza Limitata ai Colli, for those who are more independent and clinically stable.

The reorganisation, supported by an investment of 530 thousand euros, aims gradually to move beyond a standardised dialysis model. The place of treatment, level of care, method, duration and frequency of treatment can be adapted to the person’s clinical, cardiovascular and functional condition, according to an approach increasingly geared towards personalised medicine.
 

A central role is assigned to Ospedale Sant’Antonio, where a major centre for chronic nephrological care has been created

The project included three new dialysis rooms, with ten additional stations, a further outpatient clinic, and the upgrading of systems and technological equipment. A new water treatment and distribution system has also been installed, managed through a centralised supervision and control system to guarantee safety, continuity of service, and constant monitoring of parameters.

The eight stations in via Giustiniani  mainly intended for acute patients and those with highly complex care needs, also place particular emphasis on the pathway following acute renal failure, in order to promote recovery of kidney function and reduce the risk of progression to chronic kidney disease. The six stations at the CAL ai Colli  on the other hand, dedicated to those in clinically stable conditions and with greater independence, aim to integrate treatment into daily life and preserve quality of life, relationships and personal activities as much as possible.
 

The new model is thus inspired by the principle of “precision dialysis”, in which the therapy is adapted to the patient’s needs

At Ospedale Sant’Antonio, up to 80 chronic patients a day may be treated, with an overall capacity of 160 people across four shifts. The entire network will be able to provide more than 30,000 chronic dialysis sessions each year, in addition to treatments for those with acute renal failure.
 

Quality and innovation: two complementary aspects of the Azienda’s activity

The international recognition and the strengthening of nephrological care bear witness to two complementary aspects of the Azienda’s work: on the one hand, clinical and scientific quality recognised internationally as well, and on the other, the continuous commitment to innovation in facilities, technologies and models of care, with the patient at the centre of the care pathway.