New Biomedical Hub in Sicily: Healthcare, Research, and Innovation

The new hospital in Carini (Palermo), Ismett 2, is set to significantly expand the region’s access to highly specialized healthcare services. The facility will be fully integrated with the Biotechnologies and Biomedical Research Center (BRBC) of the Ri.MED Foundation, currently under construction in the same area.

This strategic biomedical hub is designed to accelerate progress in biomedical research and foster the creation of high value-added spin-off companies. Its primary goal is to transform patient care while providing a significant boost to the Sicilian economy.

Funded jointly by the regional and national governments, the new hospital and the BRBC will be managed by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), a global leader that has successfully operated Ismett—an excellence center for transplants and highly specialized therapies in Palermo—for over 20 years.

A Regional Hub with a Long-Term Vision for Healthcare in Sicily

Ismett 2 will continue and strengthen the extensive transplant programs and highly specialized therapies, serving an average of more than 2,500 patients per year. The new facility will introduce advanced clinical programs, further expanding the range of treatments available to Sicilian citizens.

In line with the current Ismett, the new hospital will be part of the regional cardiovascular emergency network, providing vital care for time-sensitive conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Building on the experience gained during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ismett 2 has been designed with exceptional operational flexibility, allowing for the rapid conversion of standard beds into intensive care and step-down units. This ensures best practices in infection control and the smooth, separate management of patients with chronic and infectious diseases, guaranteeing maximum patient safety.

Advanced Technology for Clinical Care and Translational Research

Technological innovation is a fundamental pillar, replicating the successful model of Ismett and other UPMC facilities in Italy. The new site will feature:

• Electronic Health Records (EHR)

• Digital administrative and accounting systems interconnected across all departments

• Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

Thanks to UPMC’s expertise in Pittsburgh, these systems will assist clinicians in delivering the right care at the right time, with a strong focus on information security and the privacy of health data. The entire IT infrastructure is also designed to actively support the integration of translational research directly into patient care, a key factor in advancing personalized medicine.