Roughly 6 % of patients in Swiss hospitals contract an infection, which is about average for Europe. Surgical site infections and catheter-associated bacteraemias (blood poisoning) are particularly common and associated with serious consequences. But the lungs and urinary tract are also at risk and susceptible to infections after medical interventions.
Need for action in Switzerland
Health policy priority
The Federal Council considers the reduction of healthcare-associated infections a high priority. In its global health strategy “Health2020”, it declared the NOSO Strategy a priority measure. The NOSO Strategy is based on best practices, closes existing gaps and takes into account healthcare facilities’ varying requirements. It defines five action areas, each with its own strategic objective and a bundle of key measures.
Broad-based and coordinated with other strategies
The NOSO Strategy originated in close cooperation with the Swiss Conference of the Cantonal Ministers of Public Health (CMPH), H+ (the Hospitals of Switzerland), CURAVIVA (the association for Swiss nursing homes and institutions), the Swissnoso expert panel as well as medical professional societies and other relevant stakeholders. It is coordinated with federal measures such as the Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR) and pilot programmes that are part of the Quality Strategy, so as to ensure a common approach without any duplication.
Here you will find an overview of all actors in the NOSO strategy.
Last modification 26.11.2023
Contact
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Division of Communicable Diseases
Infection Control and Control Measures Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
3003
Bern
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 87 06