Before the foundation of the Institute, in the same place where the Gran Hotel Savoy was built, there was a shelter called Croce Bianca. This was one of the favourite places of emperor Francis Giuseppe from Austria, because of the right climate, a pure air and the place to recover from the stress of leading an empire. In 1900, the Queen Margherita di Savoia stopped and prayed in the little church next to the shelter, after an anarchist murdered King Umberto in Monza.
From 1900 the Savoia family made of this residence a privileged place, by inviting scientists and men of letters, among whom were Guglielmo Marconi and Italo Balbo. At the end of the Second World War, Mr. Piero Pozzani from Padua purchased the Hotel Savoy.
Father Paolino Beltrame Quattrocchi, a Benedictine from Parma, on charge of the archbishop Mons. Evasio Colli, purchased all the property of the Gran Hotel Savoy for the Diocese in Parma, in order to help many teenagers and children from Parma and elsewhere.
The Pontifical Work of Assistance, a body present in all the dioceses that represents and practices the charity and the solidarity of the Church, became the owner of the property management. An activity based on generic preventorium began, with the approval of the Minister of Health that asked a modest charge for the young guests up to 12 years.
The work and studies of some doctors, among which Dr. PierLuigi Cavatorti (sanitary manager of the body) Dr. Francis Rinaldi (medical manager), and Dr. Gino Baronio (pneumologist and sanitary manager) showed the benefits of staying in Misurina for all children with respiratory or allergic illnesses. Similar experiences in other European and American centres (Briançon in France, Davos in Switzerland and Denver in Colorado) confirm the benefits of this kind of treatment. These medical centres still continue scientific research into the efficacy of staying in the mountains to successfully cure or control asthma. Prof. Dino Gaburro, Director of the Paediatric Clinic in Verona, was the first one to start these scientific studies in Misurina, and became the Director of the Institute after a 27-year direction of Dr. Gino Baronio. Prof. Attilio Boner from the Paediatric Clinic of the University in Verona lead scientific studies of international relevance.
The high altitude, a low level of humidity in the air, the wealth of ultraviolet radiations and the air ionization characteristic of Misurina offers all its benefits to treat young children with asthma. This facilitates improvement of respiratory inflammation and reduction or cessation of pharmacological treatment in children. Allergens are one of the main trigger factors for bronchial inflammation leading to worsening of symptoms. The improvement in symptoms observed at our Institute and at two other similar European centres (Davos and Briançon) is due to the fact that there is an almost total absence of allergens related to the difference in temperature, humidity and vegetation. Recent studies have shown that prolonged stay in such allergen free environment results not only improves lung function but also increases anti-inflammatory biological substances.
The improvement in symptoms helps in adequate growth and also improves quality of life. One of the aims and therefore a method of monitoring adequate asthma control is the ability to perform physical activity. Children begin to practise (under close medical supervision) different physical activities, such as cross-country and alpine skiing, playing football and volleyball, cycling, swimming, walking and trekking. Children are able to carry out physical activity, which would have been otherwise limited by their asthma. For example a child with severe asthma is able to perform activities at a level similar to healthy children.
The Institute can accommodate 100 children upto the age of 18 years (living in Italy) at any given time. The development of the Institute has lead to the creation of a structure, which could be considered to a "Clinical Microsystem": it consists of a group of people that regularly work to take care of asthmatic patients. In this environment all staff, parents and children work as a team, which enables them to find solutions to health problems.
The Institute is child and family centred as it cares, educates, listens and meets special demands of both child and the family. The family guides the medical professionals to understand child’s wellbeing and health. The principles that form the basis of this care and inspires our care are treating with respect and dignity, sharing of information, close collaboration among staff, patients and families.
Via Monte Piana, 4 - 32040 Misurina Belluno
Tel. +39 043539008 -
Fax +39 043539210
In compliance with the standard ISO 9001:2008 for delivery of health services (admission or ambulatory care) in the field of diagnosis and treatment of pediatric asthma
Misurina Pio XII° Institute - Piva 00447730342 - Powered by Auxonet