Azienda Zero Piemonte

About Us

Azienda Zero Piemonte is an entity of the Regional Health Service established by the Piedmont Region through Regional Law No. 26 of 26 October 2021, subsequently amended by Regional Law No. 2 of 25 March 2022, and formally constituted by Decree of the President of the Regional Government No. 9 of 18 February 2022. 

The organization was created with the aim of strengthening coordination and efficiency within the regional healthcare system through the centralized management of strategic functions and cross-cutting services supporting the healthcare organizations of Piedmont. 

Azienda Zero operates as a governance and integration structure, contributing to the development of more efficient and homogeneous organizational models across the regional healthcare system. Its role is embedded within a complex healthcare network serving a population of approximately 4.4 million citizens and involving a wide range of local health authorities, hospital trusts, research institutes, healthcare professionals, and third-sector organizations. 

One of the distinguishing features of the organization is its focus on organizational and technological innovation. Through the design and management of digital infrastructures, interoperable health information systems, and service platforms, the entity contributes to the modernization of the Piedmont healthcare system and the adoption of digital solutions for the management of healthcare services and care pathways. 

Within this framework, Azienda Zero also acts as a connecting link between regional health policy and its operational implementation, working in collaboration with the Piedmont Region and regional healthcare organizations in the development of strategic projects related to territorial healthcare, digitalization of services, and improved access to care. 

The organization’s activities are aimed at ensuring equity, quality, and efficiency in healthcare services, while contributing to the sustainability and innovation of the regional healthcare system.

What We Do

Azienda Zero performs coordination and operational support functions in several strategic areas of the Piedmont healthcare system, with the objective of improving organizational efficiency, service integration, and the quality of care provided to citizens. The main areas of activity include:

• Emergency and urgent healthcare services. Coordination of regional emergency services, including the emergency medical service 118, the European emergency number 112, and the non-urgent medical care service 116117, ensuring a timely and integrated healthcare response.
• Digital innovation and health information systems. Development and management of regional digital infrastructures to support the sharing and integration of healthcare data and the improvement of care processes, through telemedicine platforms, systems for the management of care pathways, and digital tools supporting services for citizens.
• Pharmaceutical governance and medical devices. Support for the achievement of regional objectives through the adoption of policy and governance tools aimed at promoting appropriate pharmaceutical use, financial sustainability, and efficient use of healthcare resources, as well as strengthening governance of medical devices and promoting the dissemination of clinical and organizational guidelines.
• Regional healthcare logistics. Development of an innovative healthcare supply chain model supporting the extra-hospital emergency service 118, aimed at improving efficiency, traceability, and safety in the management of medicines, medical devices, and healthcare materials. Promotion of initiatives to enhance and further develop the current regional logistics model through the coordination of the Regional Healthcare Logistics working group.
• Innovation and Collaboration. Promotion of innovation initiatives, including the 2025 Healthcare Logistics Hackathon, and collaboration with healthcare organizations, universities, and technology partners to develop new organizational and digital models. Through these activities, Azienda Zero supports healthcare organizations, health professionals, and regional institutions in improving healthcare services, contributing to the development of a more integrated, digital, and efficient healthcare system in Piedmont.

Collaborations with Universities

Azienda Zero has developed strong collaborations with several Italian and foreign universities, including institutions beyond the Piedmont region. Particular importance is given to training initiatives aimed at different professional groups with varying levels of expertise. The organization serves as a training site for students enrolled in healthcare-related degree programs, including nursing and medical faculties, particularly during postgraduate specialization programs. 

More recently, a dedicated training pathway for pharmacists has also been established. In addition to healthcare professionals, Azienda Zero contributes to the training of other professional profiles through agreements that allow students from Law faculties and from the Polytechnic University of Turin to undertake study and training placements within the organization. Over the past year a research project has been launched in collaboration with the Department of Mathematical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin to develop operations research models aimed at identifying solutions to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system.