Dear Colleagues and Friends, we are pleased to invite you to attend the upcoming Congress of the Italian Society for Safety and Quality in Transplantation (SISQT) to take place at Palazzo dei Congressi in Florence April 8 through 12, 2013. The 5th SISQT Congress will be run jointly with the first congress of the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS) in Italy. ITNS is the largest international society committed to advancing the quality and standards of transplant nursing, and ITNS Directors have graciously agreed to SISQT hosting a full ITNS congress in Florence for the very first time in the history of Italian transplant nursing. The Florence congress will offer integration between ITNS and SISQT and its scientific program will be possible thanks to contribution of transplant nursing and clinical experts from Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, UK, USA, Brazil and Australia. The scientific sessions will focus on the recent technical and scientific advancements and how to translate them into better care for out transplant patients. The current economic constraints may jeopardize health care systems in European countries. It is our interest to develop strategies and find solutions to meet our patients’ demands and keep current standards of safety and quality of care. On these issues we will strive to reach consensus with clinical and nursing experts, with patients, their families, and stakeholders. Looking forward to meeting you all in Florence.

Franco Filipponi
Riccardo Tartaglia
SISQT Congress Presidents

Christiane Kugler
Juri Ducci
ITNS Congress Presidents