01
Clinical Outcomes
We quantify perioperative and longitudinal outcomes including complications, neurological and functional recovery, readmissions, reoperations, length of stay, survival when relevant, and recovery trajectories.
Neurosurgical Outcomes Research & Analytics Lab
Measure.
Understand.
Improve.
Using clinical data, patient outcomes and quantitative methods to advance neurosurgical care.
People · Data · Better outcomes
From data to better livesEvidence that improves the next patient's care.
Clinical and academic environmentNORA Lab brings together neurosurgical outcomes research, clinical expertise and academic collaboration in Southern Switzerland.
EOC
Università della Svizzera italiana
Università della Svizzera italianaOur mission
Better evidence
for every patient.
NORA Lab studies what happens to patients before, during and after neurosurgical treatment — and how those outcomes can be improved. We combine clinical expertise with data science and quantitative methods to generate real-world evidence, support individualized decision-making and advance the quality, value and safety of neurosurgical care.
Research areas
From data
to better care.
Four complementary pillars connect clinical practice, patient experience and quantitative science.
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Patient-Reported Outcomes
We integrate the patient perspective through validated measures of pain, disability, quality of life, function, satisfaction, recovery and return to meaningful activities.
03
Predictive Analytics
We develop and validate prognostic and risk models, with attention to calibration, external validation, missing data, clinical utility and transparent use of machine learning.
04
Health Services & Value
We study patterns of care, resource use, comparative effectiveness, quality, access and variation in practice to support safer and more efficient neurosurgical care.
P
PatientReal-world careT
TreatmentSurgical managementD
DataClinical + PROMsE
EvidenceModels + insights+
Better CareImproved outcomesFeatured projects
Current projects.
01 · Registry
NORA Registry
A multicentre registry platform for rare and high-impact neurosurgical conditions, designed around harmonised variables and meaningful longitudinal outcomes.
Project details →02 · Quality & Safety
30-Day Outcomes Project
A standardised view of early postoperative recovery, complications, readmissions, reinterventions and other clinically actionable events during the first 30 days.
Project details →03 · PROMs
PROMs Initiative
Longitudinal patient-reported outcomes before and after neurosurgical treatment to understand recovery from the patient’s perspective.
Project details →04 · Neuro-oncology
Brain Tumor Outcomes
Patient-centred and clinical outcome research across the brain tumour pathway, from surgery to functional recovery and onward treatment.
Project details →05 · Spine
Spine Outcomes
Clinical, functional and patient-reported outcomes after degenerative and complex spine surgery, with emphasis on durable benefit and recovery trajectories.
Project details →06 · Analytics
Outcome Prediction
Development and external validation of clinically interpretable prediction models for risk, recovery and personalised decision support.
Project details →Publications
Evidence in progress.
The first NORA Lab publications are in development.
NORA is a newly established research group. Publications carrying the NORA Lab affiliation will be listed here as they become available.
Visit publications →Leadership
People behind NORA.
Group Leader
PD Dr. med. Andrea Cardia
Primario, Neurosurgery · INSI / EOC
Group Leader
Dr. med. Ismail Zaed
Neurosurgery · NORA Lab
Deputy Director
PD Dr. med. Francesco Marchi
Neurosurgery · INSI / EOC
Deputy Director
Dr. med. Davide Milani
Viceprimario, Neurosurgery · INSI / EOC
Collaborate with us
Interested in outcomes research?
We welcome students, residents, researchers, clinical partners and institutions interested in multicentre registries, patient-centred outcomes, external validation and clinically meaningful analytics.
Work with us →“Better evidence today. Better outcomes tomorrow.”