Point prevalence survey in hospitals

With 5.5 per cent the mean for the EU, this puts Switzerland around the European average. The data are now being evaluated in more depth to determine the mortality rate and the costs attributable to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The results of these analyses will be available in the course of 2019.

13,000 patients in 96 hospitals

Prevalence surveys have a long tradition in hospital hygiene and HAI prevention. In 2017 Swissnoso, with the support of the FOPH, conducted the first nationwide point prevalence survey in Switzerland. The study had threefold aims: to assess the scale of HAIs and the use of antibiotics in Swiss acute care hospitals; to characterise patients, infections and the antibiotics used; to depict procedures for preventing HAIs and antibiotic resistance. The nationwide survey was conducted at 96 Swiss hospitals. Each participating hospital captured data on healthcare-associated infections on one day between April and June 2017, covering around 13,000 patients in total.

Next survey in 2020

The point prevalence survey is to be repeated several times in the next few years to document developments in efforts to combat avoidable infections in Swiss hospitals. The next national prevalence survey is planned for 2020. Swissnoso is supplying hospitals that wish to repeat the survey already this year with tools such as access to the database, training documentation and the survey protocol.

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Last modification 03.12.2019