Abruzzo Region Research Articles

Knowledge and Attitude towards Vaccination among Healthcare Workers: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in a Southern Italian Region.

Background: In Italy, the loss of confidence towards vaccination resulted in low vaccine coverage, also among healthcare workers (HCWs). Indeed, low vaccination coverage among HCWs can lead to dangerous outbreaks of disease, reduce productivity, and increase absenteeism. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine coverage and attitudes toward vaccination among HCWs. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs referred to all hospitals of the Local Health Authority 02 of Abruzzo Region, Italy. The survey was based on the questionnaire proposed by the H-ProImmune Project. Results: A total of 347 HCWs were enrolled in the study. Of these, 57.3% reported missing diphtheritis-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination, 50.1% reported missing measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, and 62.5% reported missing flu vaccination. Regarding attitudes, other healthcare professionals reported to believe more in natural immunization compared to vaccination (26.5%; p < 0.001), and they were worried about long-term effects of vaccination (10.2%; p = 0.044). Conclusions: This survey showed all vaccination coverage considered resulted below the 95% threshold. Training on vaccination and mandatory measures may be needed in order to achieve better coverage.

Exploring the Nutraceutical Potential of Dried Pepper Capsicum annuum L. on Market from Altino in Abruzzo Region.

Sweet pepper is a typical type of Capsicum annuum from Abruzzo region, recognized as a traditional and local product, traditionally cultivated in the town of Altino (Abruzzo region, Italy). The aim of this study is to compare the sweet type of peppers from Altino with the hot pepper cultivated in the same area, in order to delineate their different phytochemical and biological profiles in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we elucidated their phytochemical composition, fatty acids composition and phenolic/flavonoid contents in extracts. Then antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays were performed to evaluate their biological properties, together with in vitro cell assay and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Microwave (1000 mg/mL) extract of hot pepper showed the best inhibition value on in vitro cell growth assay; in fact, the number of survived cells was about 20% and 40% for microwave and Soxhlet extracts, respectively. In vivo anti-inflammatory assay revealed good activity for both species, which, when associated with in vitro cell inhibition results, could explain the protective effect on human prostatic hyperplasia.

Survey of Bartonella species in cats from Abruzzo region, Italy.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a zoonotic disease, caused predominantly by Bartonella henselae and transmitted to humans through a scratch or bite of the cat. Cat represents the principal reservoir and healthy carrier of Bartonella, which is mainly transmitted, among cats, by the flea Ctenocephalides felis. During 2014, fifty‑two samples of whole blood and sera were collected randomly from cats in Abruzzo region and were examined by real-time PCR and IFAT tests, respectively. Seven samples out of fifty‑two (13.5%) resulted positive for Bartonella spp. in both tests, while six specimens (11.5%) resulted real-time PCR negative but IgG positive; thirty‑nine were instead both real-time PCR and IFAT negative (75%). Sequence analysis of a fragment of DNA identified B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in four and in two real‑time PCR positive samples, respectively.

A “One-Health” approach for diagnosis and molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy

The current pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV) called SARS-CoV-2 (species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, subgenus Sarbecovirus, genus Betacoronavirus, family Coronaviridae). In Italy, up to the 2nd of April 2020, overall 139,422 confirmed cases and 17,669 deaths have been notified, while 26,491 people have recovered. Besides the overloading of hospitals, another issue to face was the capacity to perform thousands of tests per day. In this perspective, to support the National Health Care System and to minimize the impact of this rapidly spreading virus, the Italian Ministry of Health involved the Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali (IZSs), Veterinary Public Health Institutes, in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 by testing human samples. The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise is currently testing more than 600 samples per day and performing whole genome sequencing from positive samples. Sequence analysis of these samples suggested that different viral variants may be circulating in Italy, and so in Abruzzo region. CoVs, and related diseases, are well known to veterinarians since decades. The experience that veterinarians operating within the Public Health system gained in the control and characterization of previous health issues of livestock and poultry including avian flu, bluetongue, foot and mouth disease, responsible for huge economic losses, is certainly of great help to minimize the impact of this global crisis.

Real-life data on the efficacy and safety of erenumab in the Abruzzo region, central Italy

BackgroundWe aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of erenumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody inhibiting the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPr), for the prevention of migraine in a real-life setting.Main bodyWe included in our observational study all patients with episodic or chronic migraine treated with erenumab during the year 2019 in the Abruzzo region, central Italy, and with a 6-month follow-up. We included 89 patients; 76 (85.4%) received 6 doses of erenumab, 11 (12.4%) autonomously withdrew the drug due to perceived inefficacy, and 2 (2.2%) due to adverse events. Seventy-eight patients (87.6%) were female, with a mean age of 46.8 ± 11.2 years; 84 (94.4%) had chronic migraine, and 64 (71.9%) medication overuse. All patients had ≥2 prior preventive treatment failures. Fifty-three patients (69.7%) had a 50% decrease in monthly migraine days (MMDs) within the first three doses; 46 (71.9%) of 64 patients withdrew medication overuse. In the 76 patients who completed a 6-dose treatment, erenumab decreased median MMDs from 19 (interquartile range [IQR] 12–27.5) to 4 (IQR 2–9.5; P < 0.001), median monthly days of analgesic use from 10 (IQR 4.5–20) to 2 IQR 0–5; P < 0.001), and median monthly days of triptan use from 5 (IQR 0–15.5) to 1 (IQR 0–4; P < 0.001). We recorded 27 adverse events in 20 (22.5%) patients, the most common being constipation (13.5%). One adverse event, i.e. allergic reaction, led to treatment discontinuation in one patient.ConclusionsOur real-life data confirm the efficacy and tolerability of erenumab for the prevention of migraine in a difficult-to-treat population of patients with a high prevalence of chronic migraine and medication overuse.

Characterization of natural Oenococcus oeni strains for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo organic wine production

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a red wine grape variety of Vitis vinifera L., grown in Central Italy. It is mainly identified with Abruzzo region, where it currently accounts for around 50% of the regional vineyard. Malolactic fermentation (MLF) has a crucial role in red wines giving microbial stabilization, biological deacidification through the decarboxylation of l-malic acid to l( +)-lactic acid and carbon dioxide, and increasing complexity of wine aroma. Studies are focusing on the selection of yeast starter cultures for this wine, while few studies are available on malolactic bacteria. Therefore, a technological (ability to grow up at different pH, concentration of SO2, ethanol, presence of hdc, tdc and odc genes, conversion of malic acid into lactic acid) and genetic characterization of autochthonous Oenococcus oeni strains was performed. Moreover, O. oeni strain with the best traits was selected and produced by a local starter industry and used in cellar to produce Montepulciano d’Abruzzo organic wine without added SO2. Obtained wines not only maintained the typical traits of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines but also showed healthy characteristics since wines were histamine free. Selected starter is actually produced and dispensed on demand and in a frozen concentrate culture for wineries.

Geomorphological analysis of drainage changes in the NE Apennines piedmont area: the case of the middle Tavo River bend (Abruzzo, Central Italy)

ABSTRACT This work presents a tectonic geomorphology analysis of a river bend in the middle Tavo River valley, in the piedmont area of the NE Apennines (Abruzzo Region), between the eastern slope of the chain (Gran Sasso Massif) and the Adriatic coast. The main map (1:15,000 scale) was obtained through a morphometric, geological, and geomorphological analysis, and was composed of four sections including orography and hydrography at basin scale, main map at local scale, geomorphological cross-section and longitudinal profiles, and morphoneotectonic analysis. This study provides a basis for the recognition of morphostructural and morphotectonic features that control the drainage evolution of the Tavo River. Specifically, the study is focused on the Tavo-Saline basin characterized by possible capture processes, and the evolution of the watershed with the Pescara basin. The results from this study can contribute to the understanding of the evolution of the NE Apennines piedmont area since the Middle Pleistocene.

Predictors and Trend of Ketoacidosis Hospitalization Rate in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients from 2006 to 2015 in Abruzzo Region, Italy.

This study aimed to assess the trend of hospitalizations for DKA in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated factors. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. Data were collected from hospital discharge records (HDRs) of patients (age ≥18) with either primary or secondary discharge diagnosis for DKA and type 2 diabetes from 2006 to 2015 in Abruzzo region. Age-adjusted hospitalization rates were computed by gender and standardized on the regional population in 2006. A logistic regression model was implemented using presence of DKA as dependent variable. We identified 160,366 HDRs with type 2 diabetes. Out of them, 1611 (1.00%) were due to DKA. The hospitalization rates for DKA increased both for male +115.9 and female +142.8%, from 2006 to 2015. The most significant predictors of DKA were age 18-44 (aOR=4.17), uncontrolled diabetes (aOR=1.79), trauma (aOR=1.38), any infection (aOR=1.68), liver disease (aOR=1.29), fluid and electrolyte disorders (aOR=2.09), psychosis (aOR=1.69). Trends of DKA in adult patients with type 2 diabetes has been increasing in both male and female. Multimorbidity is an open challenge for public health, therefore better coordination is needed among different specialist consultants to reduce the occurrence of this preventable complication.

Trend in Hospital Admissions of Drug Addicts and Associated Factors from 2006 to 2015: an Observational Study on the Hospitals' Discharge Registries from a Region of Central Italy.

Several social, economic and political factors have contributed to the global spread of alcohol and other drugs. Drug addiction represents a huge expense for the society in terms of direct and indirect health and social consequences, as it is associated with numerous medical issues such as HIV, other infections and psychiatric disturbances. The aim of this study was the assessment of the hospital admissions among drug addicted patients in Abruzzo Region, central Italy, from 2006 to 2015, in order to clarify the specific causes of hospitalization. Data were collected from all hospital discharge records, taking into account only the hospital discharge registrations coded 304 (drug dependence). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate factors associated with main causes of the admission. Between 2006 and 2015, an amount of 2,159 drug-addicted subjects, aged 38.0±9.7 years, were admitted to hospital. Most of the admissions occurred in public hospitals (2,039, 94.4%), through the emergency room access (1,503, 69.6%) From an amount of 2,159 hospitalizations, 1,178 (54.6%) were first and 981 (45.4%) were subsequent admissions. The most frequent cause of hospitalization was "Psychosis" (419, 19.4%). The trend by range of age showed a progressive reduction in hospital admissions for patients aged < 45 y. Further, an increase in the hospitalization rate was estimated over recent years among drug addict subjects aged 25-45 years. Cannabis consumption was associated with mental disorder admissions (OR: 3.16, p<0.001), opioid consumption was associated with hepatic disorder admission (OR:2.16, p<0.001) and cardiovascular admissions (OR: 1,78, p<0.001), and cocaine was associated with cardiovascular admissions (OR:1,55, p:<0.001). Mental disorders result to be the leading cause of hospitalization among drug-addicts, principally associated with cannabis abuse. Opioid and cocaine abuse was associated with hepatic and cardiovascular disorders.

Paediatric ambulatory care sensitive hospitalisation and Italian deprivation index: retrospective multilevel analysis of administrative data from 2008 to 2018 in the Abruzzo Region (Southern Italy).

to estimate and analyse the trend of paediatric hospitalisations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) from 2008 to 2018 in a region of southern Italy and to assess the association with the socio-economic deprivation index (DI). retrospective observational study. ACSC hospitalisations in children (<=18 years) were identified. Discharges for ACSC of the Abruzzo Region from 2008 to 2018 were selected and the deprivation index of the municipality of residence was assigned to the hospital discharge record where the patient's residence was reported. the rate of paediatric preventable admissions (PPHs) related to ACSC, standardized by age and gender with the direct method, was calculated for the years of observation. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated with a trend analysis. In addition, the odds ratios (ORs) of hospitalisation for ACSC were calculated using a hierarchical logistic regression model. 252,513 hospitalisations were examined, of which 16,264 (6.4%) attributable to ACSC. During the study period, the hospitalisation rate decreased from 8.59 per 1,000 to 6.12 per 1,000 residents, with an AAPC of -3.7, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Furthermore, an association was highlighted between hospitalisations related to ACSC and the deprivation of the municipality of residence. Using as a comparison people residing in the municipalities belonging to the first quintile, the least deprived, the strength of the association between PPHs and DI increased from the third quintile (OR 1.13; CI95% 1.02-1.24) up to the fifth quintile, most deprived (OR 1.14; CI95% 1.01-1.30). paediatric patients residing in Abruzzo have a risk of undergoing a preventable hospitalisation associated with an ACSC which depends on the deprivation index of the municipality of residence. Although it is difficult to evaluate the mechanisms involved in the relationship between economic deprivation and hospitalisation, DI can be useful to identify the areas which are most at risk on which to prioritize public health interventions.

From the "real-world evidence" to prevention strategies: health inequalities in immigrants residing in an Italian Local Health Unit.

to assess the health inequalities of immigrants in the Local Health Unit (LHU) n.1 of the Abruzzo Region with a real-world approach. In particular, 4 main categories of hospitalisation (MDC) linked to health risk behaviours and social determinants were analysed. retrospective study on hospital discharge data (HDD). resident population in the LHU n.1 of the Abruzzo Region between 2010 and 2018. Hospital discharge forms (HDFs) of the hospitals under the administration of the LHU No. 1 of the Abruzzo Region, which includes three geographical areas (Marsica, Peligno-Sangrina, L'Aquila), in the years 2010-2018 were analysed. crude hospitalisation trends for immigrants and Italians; comparison of standardised hospitalisation rates in the main immigrant communities. overall, 26,570 SDO were analysed. Average age of inpatients was 40 years (±16) and average hospital stay was 4 days (±7). Immigrants showed a lower tendency to hospitalisation than Italians with a decreasing trend from 2010 to 2018, contrary to the Italians. The Romanian population has a hospitalisation risk for alcohol abuse/drugs and induced organic mental disorders about twice as much as the Italian population. Women from Morocco experienced caesarean section with complications about four times more than the Italian women. the analysis of routine data highlighted excesses of hospitalisation by some causes and birthplaces. A real-world approach can be useful and timely to the implementation of preventive strategies for specific diseases in defined local areas.

Pediatrician's approach to diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis is responsible for 20-30% of pharyngitis cases in children (Shulman et al. Clin Infect Dis 55(10):e86-e102, 2012). Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of GAS pharyngitis have been published by the Italian National Institute of Health guidelines in 2012 (ESCMID Sore Throat Guideline Group et al. Clin Microbiol Infect 18(Suppl 1):1-28, 2012). Adherence to such guidance is relevant for primary prevention of complications of GAS pharyngitis, above all rheumatic fever (RF). The aim of our study was to evaluate the application of Italian guidelines by the family pediatricians from the Abruzzo region. A validated questionnaire was completed by the family pediatricians and used for data collection. The 154 family pediatricians from Abruzzo (88% of the total number of family pediatricians) participated in the study. Out of the 1232 answers, 455 (37%) were wrong. Only 8% of the participants answered correctly all the questions, whereas 0.6% missed all the questions. Through the Spearman's correlation, our study found an inverse significant correlation between the questions regarding primary prophylaxis (Score B) and the work experience of pediatricians (Rho = - 0.276, p = 0.048). The majority of the family pediatricians from the Abruzzo region, in line with studies from other countries, have significant knowledge gaps about the diagnosis and treatment of GAS pharyngitis. Therefore, strategies to increase the pediatricians' awareness of the guidelines are needed, in order to reduce the RF incidence.

What drives visitors’ perceptions in street food events? Potential tools to boost the local and regional development (and how to do it)

The widespread popularity reached by food trucks (FTs) has led to a reshape of many food events into new forms of street food events (SFEs), in which the FTs become the main attractors for the visitors, and not anymore a simple support element to the event making. Such SFEs have rapidly been recognized as a pivotal place marker for attracting visitors from within and beyond the regional boundaries: it is therefore significant to understand visitors’ motivations to attend a SFE, both for addressing policies and for supporting business decision-making processes, since the overall visitors’ perceptions are related to a form of loyalty towards the visited destination, and this linkage might encourage revisit intentions. This study applies an ordered multinomial model to a SFE taking place in Abruzzo region (Italy) and the main findings reveal that visitors’ perceptions tend to strengthen if they find in the event memorable atmospheres and non-routine food specialties, suggesting the search for a hedonic consumption. In these regards, this study provides implications on how SFEs might represent an enhancer for the local and regional development and how SFEs might help preserve the economic and social fabric of smaller and larger communities.

Economic evaluation of colorectal cancer screening programs: Affordability for the health service.

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of the public colorectal cancer screening program in the Abruzzo region, Italy. Cost-effectiveness was analysed using a two-armed Markov model comparing: (1) Abruzzo screening program based on biennial faecal immunochemical occult blood testing, with colonoscopy as second level test for individuals with positive results, with (2) Treatment of symptomatic patients according to the stage of the neoplasm. Transition probabilities were adjusted for accuracy of tests and incidence of colorectal cancer. Diagnosis-related groups' charges and field collected data were used to estimate costs. Costs and benefits were discounted by 3.5%. Monte Carlo simulation confirmed the robustness of the model results. Assuming a compliance rate of 64.7%, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the current colorectal screening program was €433.06/quality adjusted life year gained, considerably lower than conventional thresholds (around €30,000). Early detection and intervention programs help to avoid a large number of highly debilitating and expensive cancer treatments. These results show that the screening program currently implemented in Abruzzo should be considered as a good investment in health.

Whole Genome Sequencing for Studying Bacillus anthracis from an Outbreak in the Abruzzo Region of Italy.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the gram-positive and spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. In Italy, anthrax is an endemic disease with sporadic cases each year and few outbreaks, especially in Southern Italy. However, new foci have been discovered in zones without previous history of anthrax. During summer 2016, an outbreak of anthrax caused the death of four goats in the Abruzzo region, where the disease had not been reported before. In order to investigate the outbreak, we sequenced one strain and compared it to 19 Italian B. anthracis genomes. Furthermore, we downloaded 71 whole genome sequences representing the global distribution of canonical SNP lineages and used them to verify the phylogenetic positioning. To this end, we analyzed and compared the genome sequences using canonical SNPs and the whole genome SNP-based analysis. Our results demonstrate that the outbreak strain belonged to the Trans-Eurasian (TEA) group A.Br.011/009, which is the predominant clade in Central-Southern Italy. In conclusion, the high genomic relatedness of the Italian TEA strains suggests their evolution from a common ancestor, while the spread is supposedly driven by trade as well as human and transhumance activities. Here, we demonstrated the capabilities of whole genome sequencing (WGS), which can be used as a tool for outbreak analyses and surveillance activities.

The Regional Management Risk Plan. Knowledge, scenarios and prevention projects in a regional context

This scientific paper presents the preliminary result of an interdisciplinary research on Disaster Risk Management, which derives from an agreement between the University of L'Aquila and the Abruzzo Region (It). The aim of the research is to build a methodology and experiment with an innovative Regional Management Risk Plan (RMRP) based on a Spatial/Structural approach and a broad Knowledge System describing Multi-Hazards, Multi-Vulnerabilities, Multi-Exposures and therefore Multi-Risks, the last being analysed by use of a semi-quantitative method. The interaction among these components has been interpreted with the aim of obtaining multiple Risk Scenarios, which have become the basis of Prevention and Spatial Recovery Projects within hotspots defined as High Priority Intervention Areas. These spatial projects are the tools for the implementation of prevention/mitigation and recovery actions as well as for coordination (governance) with strategies for the protection of landscape and the environment.The experimentation of the methodology on the case of the Abruzzo Region has made it possible to build a very broad knowledge system oriented towards the definition of the three components of the Multi-Risk and the related Scenarios, thereby establishing a specific analysis and interpretation model that can be replicated in other geographical locations and modified to take into account the dynamics of the Risks and the different approaches. Moreover, it has shown that the issue of Risk cannot be approached separately, but must interface with other territorial factors, including protection and development, and that its management must interface with the spatial project.

Methodologies for Sustainable Energy Action Plan design and monitoring applied to the Municipality of Avezzano, Abruzzo Region, Italy

The increasing attention and sensitivity to issues related to Global Warming and Climate Change are strengthening the actions and policies related to Sustainable Development trying to give to this concept a clearer engineering dimension. Not only policymakers are involved in this aim and experts of interdisciplinary aspects but also the irreplaceable involvement of citizens which with their behavior can make the difference and get much closer to the seventeen goals of the sustainable development by 2030. In this framework, the Territorial Energetic and Environmental Planning provides operational solidity to the concept of Sustainable Development, giving more responsibility to local administrations (as it is due according to subsidiarity), with the Central Government that guarantees the respect of the principles of Subsidiarity and Glocalization. Province of L’Aquila (in the Abruzzo Region, Italy) has been a leading player of this program and, in 2012, has realized the ambitious goal of having favored a Covenant, joining all the 108 Municipalities of the Province. Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics (DIIIE) of the University of L’Aquila designed the Sustainable Energy Action Plants (SEAP) and the monitoring phase of all the Municipalities through a scientific methodology which matched the goal of SEAPs with the dimension of the Municipality. In order to go deep into SEAP’s analysis, in this paper Authors describes the second uploading and necessary steps: a quantitative analysis of the Baseline Emission Inventory, the quantification of the SEAPs planning actions and the definition of the Monitoring Emission Inventory. This second step was done for the Municipality of Avezzano, one of the main Municipality of the L’Aquila Province, and gave the quantitative dimension of the CO2 emissions referred to the year 2017, compared with 2005 baseline emissions. The reduction commitments to be reached in 2020 defines the present distance to the target.

Healthcare Associated Infections: An Interoperable Infrastructure for Multidrug Resistant Organism Surveillance.

Prevention and surveillance of healthcare associated infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) has been given increasing attention in recent years and is nowadays a major priority for health care systems. The creation of automated regional, national and international surveillance networks plays a key role in this respect. A surveillance system has been designed for the Abruzzo region in Italy, focusing on the monitoring of the MDROs prevalence in patients, on the appropriateness of antibiotic prescription in hospitalized patients and on foreseeable interactions with other networks at national and international level. The system has been designed according to the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) principles, and Healthcare Service Specification (HSSP) standards and Clinical Document Architecture Release 2 (CDAR2) have been adopted. A description is given with special reference to implementation state, specific design and implementation choices and next foreseeable steps. The first release will be delivered at the Complex Operating Unit of Infectious Diseases of the Local Health Authority of Pescara (Italy).

Multivariate optimization of an analytical method for the analysis of Abruzzo white wines by ICP OES

An inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) method was optimized and applied for determining the concentration of 14 elements (Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, V, and Zn) in three representative white wines of the Abruzzo region (Italy). In order to optimise an ICP OES method a three level factorial design for three variables was used. The intensity of the emission lines for analytes was simultaneously maximised by using Derringer's desirability function. Using this approach, the optimal experimental conditions for wine analysis of 0.48 L min-1, 1.8 mL min-1 and 0.5 L min-1 for the nebulizer gas flow rate, sample uptake rate and auxiliary gas flow rate respectively were achieved. A total of 46 white wine samples of the three varieties were analysed by using the optimised experimental conditions. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Partial Least Squares Linear Discriminant Analysis (PLS LDA) allowed an acceptable classification of the three varietal samples.

What we have learned from the Rigopiano tragedy

On the afternoon of 18 January 2017, a major avalanche occurred on Gran Sasso d’Italia massif, destroying an hotel in Rigopiano, and killing twenty-nine people. A staff of psychologists trained in emergency psychology was involved to assist the families of the missing persons without ever abandoning them for eight consecutive days. Particular care was posed to identify an appropriate setting where families and psychologists could interact, favoring emotional containment and protection of intimacy in moments of intense pain. It was considered paramount that the team shared their intervention method, and that nobody operated individually, because this would support both families and members of the professional group. The long waiting for news about the missing persons’ fate was a suspended time, during which the psychologists engaged in emotional rescue were called to express their empathy understanding and sharing silence. Once the bodies were retrieved, the recognition of corpses required the sharing of a common operational strategy to face lucid or contradictory communications, and the alternate feelings of disbelief, anger, or guilt. As a consequence of the Rigopiano tragedy, in the year 2018 the Abruzzo region wrote a new plan for maxi health emergencies, recognizing psychological suffering among the needs to be met in case of disaster.