The need to arrange the assistance beforehand and therefore prepare for the prevention of damage to people and property that may result from accidents or events of considerable magnitude occurring inside the University Hospital, “A. Gemelli,” has led to several laws of the Constitution of the Italian Republic (Article 35), the Criminal Code (Articles 437 and 451), and the Civil Code (Article 2087): The law of Feb 12, 1955, #51 (Official Gazette 54, March 7, 1955); Decree 547 of April 27, 1955 “Regulations for the prevention of industrial accidents” and Decree 302 of March 19, 1956.

The study of these assistance procedures has led to the formulation of an emergency plan divided into two basic parts: prevention of accidents, and rescue operations.

By prevention we mean: a) The training of all staff and Managing Bodies of our Faculty/Staff to take effective action in the case of an intra-hospital accident, b) The need for detailed information on the various procedures to be used depending on the gravity of the event, c) Awareness of the civil and criminal responsibilities relating to the various management and non-management levels in case of emergency.

The training plan for the whole staff, approved by the management administrative, technical and medical bodies, consists of theoretical and practical courses. These courses, which started in June 1983 are “modular.” The staff will take part in them as homogeneous groups, for a period of time which will vary, in regard to the number of hours and kind of instruction, and in relation to what each group has to learn about work safety, fire prevention and emergency measures.