About the NOSO Strategy
The NOSO Strategy provides the foundation for targeted and nationally coordinated action by all stakeholders. It thus specifically focusses its measures in the areas where healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can be prevented and people can be protected.
Need for action in Switzerland
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.
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.
Action areas
NOSO Strategy: "Governance" action area (G)
The strategic approaches with which the Confederation and its implementation partners want to work towards a reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the individual action areas are described here.
NOSO Strategy: "Monitoring" action area (M)
The quality of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) monitoring is to be ensured, thereby expediting the continuous improvement process within the institutions.
NOSO Strategy: "Prevention and control" action area (PC)
Targeted measures are designed to ensure that the different stakeholders and persons affected are aware of the problem of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), take it seriously and contribute to implementing the NOSO Strategy.
NOSO Strategy: "Education and research" action area (ER)
The factual knowledge and everyday competences of healthcare personnel are improved, and the research topic of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is promoted politically and financially.
NOSO Strategy: "Evaluation" action area (E)
The situation regarding healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Switzerland needs to be evaluated on a regular basis.
Further information
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Infection Control and Control Measures Section
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern