Valduce Hospital, run by the Congregation of the Nursing Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, is a non-profit institution that provides healthcare services in line with Christian values and operates within the National and Regional Health System. It ensures high-quality medical care supported by advanced technologies, in accordance with regional, national, and European plans, while respecting the principles of Catholic doctrine. The hospital is accredited for a total of 371 beds: 290 for acute care at the Como location and 81 for specialized rehabilitation at the Villa Beretta facility in Costa Masnaga.
Valduce Hospital is a non-profit organization founded in 1853 by Mother Giovannina Franchi. It is managed by the Congregation of the Sisters Nurses of Our Lady of Sorrows, religious women dedicated to a mission of charity toward those who suffer: offering help to those who are ill in body, comfort for the spirit, and words of hope for those in difficult situations.
The hospital operates within the framework of the National Health Service, ensuring healthcare services to citizens under the same conditions as public facilities. It follows the guidelines established by regional, national, and European health plans, while excluding any activities that conflict with the values and principles of Catholic doctrine.
The values that guide its activities are:
- Patient-centered care: a holistic approach that integrates physical and spiritual care with services tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
- Human attention: fostering human relationships and ensuring no discrimination in the care provided.
- Advanced technology: a constant commitment to the adoption of modern diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.
- Innovation: continuous training and updating of diagnostic and therapeutic processes to ensure maximum efficiency.
Valduce Hospital occupies an area between Dante Alighieri Street (at numbers 3 and 13) and Santo Garovaglio Street (at numbers 10 and 14). The main entrance is located in the historic building on Dante Street, which also houses the administrative and executive offices. In contrast, the inpatient wards and outpatient services are distributed across the six floors of the two monoblocks built at the end of the 1960s.
The historic building and the two monoblocks are connected by an external tunnel, marking the boundary between the old and new parts of the hospital. The various entrances to the hospital services are marked with external signs identified by letters of the alphabet. Disabled parking spaces are available on both Dante Street and Santo Garovaglio Street, and every ward or service is accessible by wheelchair and stretcher.
Below are the key milestones in the history of Valduce Hospital, which in less than a century evolved from a care home for the poor into a modern hospital. Here, alongside treating patients with advanced equipment, a loving and dedicated attention to suffering is nurtured—just as its founder Giovannina Franchi intended.
1974
The Lombardy Regional Council grants Valduce the status of “classified hospital,” qualifying it as a general local hospital.
1968
Completion of the new complex, giving the Valduce Nursing Home a completely new configuration with 360 beds and essential services: laboratory, radiology, physical therapy, etc., both for inpatients and outpatients.
1963
Construction begins on the current, large monoblock, built set back from Via Dante and flush with Via Santo Garovaglio, on land previously occupied by a vineyard, garden, and ecclesiastical house.
1962
Construction begins on the building that today represents the hospital’s central body, with eight floors housing various wards.
1928
An operating room is built with the best technical-scientific standards available at the time. This marks the beginning of modern healthcare at the facility.
1922
A “Health House” is built.
1915-1918
During World War I, the facility, with 70 beds, houses wounded soldiers cared for by nuns and doctors.
1879
Sixteen nurse sisters, led by Mother Giuseppina Pozzi, move from Contrada dei Vitani to the Valduce Hospital to continue offering “devout, tireless, intelligent, charitable, and always free assistance to the poor sick of the city” in line with the spirit of the founder. Over time, vocations and services increase, and skilled healthcare professionals join to provide more qualified care.
1878
1878
Construction begins on a building “more suited to the needs of the times,” allowing more space for activities. The land was donated by Canon Bernasconi, east of the Valduce stream. This marks the beginning of the current hospital complex.
1853
Giovannina Franchi, a noblewoman from Como, founds a home for the poor sick in Contrada dei Vitani.
Valduce Hospital has long adopted a Behavioral Ethical Code applicable to all areas of the organization. In 2014, the Code was revised to incorporate the most recent regulations and was approved by the Board of Directors on December 10, 2014.
The Ethical Code defines the guidelines that hospital staff must follow in their conduct, both internally and in interactions with external stakeholders. It is the primary tool for promoting an ethical culture within the hospital.
The Supervisory Body (O.d.V.), appointed by a previous resolution, is responsible for monitoring the implementation, compliance, and updating of the adopted Ethical Code.
Reports of violations of the Ethical Code must be sent to the Supervisory Body at the email address: odv@valduce.it
Quality Certification
Valduce Hospital has implemented a quality management system compliant with the ISO 9001:2015 standard requirements. The quality certification process began in 2000. In its initial phase, the Hospital engaged a consulting firm to develop an operational program, which led to a complete review of internal processes and a reorganization based on rational procedures to optimize the use of existing resources. The process, which involved all staff, resulted in the hospital obtaining full quality certification in 2005, which was renewed in 2018 in compliance with the international standard UNI EN ISO 9001:2015. This reflects the application of Risk-Based Thinking in the planning and execution of the quality management system's processes. The 2015 edition of the UNI EN ISO 9001 standard requires organizations to understand their context and evaluate and determine risks as a basis for planning. The goal was achieved after a successful evaluation by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the internationally recognized body that certified the hospital’s quality management system. Below is a summary of the main benefits quality certification provides to a healthcare facility:
- all materials and equipment used for diagnosis and treatment are checked according to established protocols;
- staff is carefully selected and enrolled in continuous training programs;
- medical and non-medical staff activities follow guidelines and protocols of proven effectiveness and safety;
- patient satisfaction is assessed through dedicated questionnaires; the data collected is analyzed by Management to apply necessary improvements;
- specific tools for detecting anomalies (non-conformity reports and the annual internal audit plan) have been introduced to monitor proper hospital operations.
Law 24/2017 – Third Party Liability Insurance Policy (RCT/O)
LAW no. 24/2017 – Provisions on patient safety and professional liability of healthcare practitioners.
Article 10 establishes the MANDATORY INSURANCE REQUIREMENT. Paragraph 4 states:
“The facilities referred to in paragraph 1 must publicly disclose, via their website, the name of the insurance company providing civil liability coverage towards third parties and practitioners, clearly indicating the contracts, insurance clauses or other equivalent measures that define the insurance coverage.”
The Pink Labels are awards given since 2007 by Onda, the Italian National Observatory on Women's Health, to hospitals that are considered “women-friendly.” These hospitals offer services focused on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of major female diseases, paying special attention to the specific needs of women. On the Pink Label website, users can: browse the profiles of all awarded hospitals and their recognized services, leave a review based on their experience, learn about free services offered during the “Open Hospital” initiatives, The website also features a dedicated section for hospitals to apply to the biennial call and participate in Onda’s initiatives (competitions, training activities, Open Days).
Bollini Rosa 2018 - 2019: services awarded with two pink ribbons
- Emergency Cardiology Unit
- Cardiovascular Prevention Clinic
- Hypertension Clinic
- Heart Failure Clinic
- Arrhythmology Clinic
- Cardiovascular Conditions in Pregnancy Clinic
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiac Complications from Oncological Therapies
- Multidisciplinary Diabetes Management
- Insulin Pump Therapy Clinic
- Gestational Diabetes Clinic
- Multidisciplinary Clinic for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity
- Pediatric Obesity Program
- Monitoring of Pregnancies Complicated by Overweight and Obesity
- Oncology Nutrition Clinic
Highlight:
Obesity Day – Free Consultation Day
- Endometriosis Clinic
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Urogynecological and Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Adolescent Gynecology Clinic
- Menopause Clinic
- Obstetrics Clinic for Normal Pregnancy
- Ultrasound Clinic for Normal Pregnancy
- Prenatal Screening (Nuchal Translucency and Duo Test)
- Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis (Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling)
- High-Risk Pregnancy Clinic
- Prenatal Diagnosis Ultrasound Clinic
- Fetal Medicine Clinic
- Preterm Birth Prevention Clinic
- Twin Pregnancy Clinic
- Psychological Support for Pathological Pregnancies
- Medical Genetic Counseling
- Birth Center (>500 births/year + 24/7 care)
- Free Epidural Analgesia 24/7
- Non-Pharmacological Labor Pain Management Techniques
- Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Center
- Postpartum Chronic Pain Management
- Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Management
Highlight:
Early Screening for Placenta-Mediated Complications During Pregnancy
- Semi-Intensive Observation Unit for Obstetric Hypertensive Emergencies
- Specialized Obstetric Pathway for Normal Pregnancy
- Structured Free Counseling Service for Women at Risk of Depression During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Neonatal Screenings
- Pediatric Emergency Room
- Neonatal Ultrasound Clinic
- Neonatal EEG Clinic
- Infectious Diseases Clinic
- Neonatal Physiotherapy and Osteopathy Clinic
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- High-Risk Newborn Monitoring Clinic
Highlight:
"Goccia dopo goccia" Association
- Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
- Early Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders
- Stroke Unit
- Headache Center
- Epilepsy and Pregnancy Clinic
- Multiple Sclerosis Center
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Nervous System Tumors
- Gynecologic Oncology Clinic
- Genetic Counseling and Risk Assessment for Ovarian Cancer
- BRCA Testing
- HPV Vaccination Clinic
- Cervical Cancer Screenings
Highlight:
- Prophylactic Surgery for Women at Oncological Risk
- Fertility-Sparing Surgery
- Collaboration with 'Noi Sempre Donne' Association
- Wig Service
- Diagnosis, Treatment and Monitoring of Breast Cancer
- Diagnosis, Treatment and Monitoring of Colorectal Cancer
- Diagnosis, Treatment and Monitoring of Lung Cancer
- Psycho-Oncology Services
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Room
- Open Access for Parents
- Psychological Support and Social Assistance
- Allergy Services
- Diabetology Services
- Nutrition and Dietetics Services
- Endocrinology Services
- Gastroenterology Services
- Genetics Services
- Infectious Diseases Services
- Immunology Services
- Nephrology and Urology Services
- Ophthalmology Services
- Rheumatology Services
- Rare Diseases Center
- Multidisciplinary Management of Adolescent Distress
- ‘Charter of the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Hospital’ Certification (ABIO-SIP)
- Clinic for Chronic Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
- Management of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases in Pregnancy
- Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Highlight:
Dedicated Pathways for Different Stages of Women’s Lives
- Multidisciplinary Management of Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
- Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
- Psycho-Oncology
- Genetic Counseling and Risk Assessment for Breast Cancer
- BRCA Testing
- Physiatric Evaluation
- Physiotherapy
- Mammography Screening
Highlight:
Senonetwork Italy Center – Valduce Breast Unit Certified by the National Agency for Health Services
- Private Access in the Emergency Room
- Dedicated Emergency Room Staff
- Reserved Space
- Legal Counseling
- Telemedicine
- Social Assistance
- Cultural Mediation
- Multilingual Informative Materials
- Online Waiting Times
- Clinics with Bottle Warmers
- Baby Changing Tables
- Playroom
- Onco-aesthetic Services
- Wig Rental for Oncology Patients
- Book Lending
Highlight:
Social and Health Counseling Service