Swiss Sepsis Program
The significant burden of sepsis in Switzerland contrasts with the current lack of public awareness and coordinated efforts to address it. By improving early recognition, timely treatment, and support for survivors and their families, we aim to reduce the impact of sepsis and improve outcomes for those affected.
Swiss Sepsis National Action Plan
In 2022, Switzerland launched the Swiss Sepsis National Action Plan to improve awareness, prevention, and treatment of this life-threatening condition. The Sepsis Action Plan outlines strategies and priorities in order to realize the goals of the World Sepsis 2030 declaration, aiming to develop solutions designed to meet the needs of the Swiss population and healthcare system to improve the treatment and recovery of patients with sepsis.
About the Program
The Swiss Sepsis Program is a collaborative effort led by physicians and project managers from the University Children’s Hospital in Zürich, the University Hospital in Bern, and Lausanne. Supported by the Federal Quality Commission, this program is set to run from September 2023 to December 2028.
The initiative is focused on providing advocacy and education, implement best practices for sepsis care and establish a sepsis registry and benchmarks. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of sepsis care. The primary goals are to reduce the burden of sepsis across Switzerland by:
- Implementing the recommendations from the Swiss Sepsis National Action Plan (SSNAP)
- Providing national advocacy and guidance to enhance the prevention, early detection and treatment of sepsis and support for sepsis survivors and their families
Work Packages
The Swiss Sepsis Program comprises of five Work Packages (WP). Each project is headed by a WP leader with a designated co-lead and is designed to foster a collaborative spirit and network between different professional groups including experts from various parts of the country, as well as patients and families affected by sepsis.
WP 1 – Program Management
Main Objectives:
- Program management & coordination: Ensure successful management and coordination of all program activities, including timely delivery of milestones, effective communication across teams, and resource allocation
- Stakeholder Engagement: Foster strong relationships with all stakeholders through regular communication, involvement in key decision-making processes, and addressing stakeholder concerns promptly and effectively.
Leading Institution: University Children`s Hospital Zurich
Medical Lead: Prof. Dr. med. Luregn Schlapbach, PD Dr. med. Nora Lüthi
WP 2 – Promotion of Sepsis Advocacy and Public Awareness
Main Objectives:
- Increase sepsis awareness and knowledge among the public and promote sepsis advocacy
- Launch a national public sepsis awareness campaign
Leading Institution: Inselspital Bern
Medical Lead: PD Dr. med. Christine Thurnheer, Dr. med. Simone Ehrhard
WP 3 – Training and Education of Healthcare Professionals
Main Objectives:
- Enhance knowledge and expertise in sepsis prevention, recognition and management among healthcare professionals.
- Establish a sepsis specific educational program for healthcare workers across all settings to improve prevention, detection and management of sepsis across all age groups
Leading Institution: Inselspital Bern
Medical Lead: PD Dr. med. Christine Thurnheer, Dr. med. Simone Ehrhard
WP 4 – Clinical Standards and Sepsis Pathways
Main Objectives:
- Establish and implement clinical standards and pathways for rapid detection, treatment, and follow-up in sepsis patients
- Develop age-specific post-sepsis care models to ensure tailored, effective treatment and recovery plans for all patients.
Leading Institution: CHUV Lausanne
Medical Lead: PD Dr. med. Sylvain Meylan, Prof. Dr. med. Eric Giannoni
WP 5 – Benchmarking and Evaluation
Objective:
- Evaluate the quality improvement initiatives and hospital sepsis pathways in terms of process, outcome and balancing measures
- Establish benchmarking, harmonized sepsis definition and data collection as well as building the infrastructure for a national sepsis registry
Leading Institution: University Children`s Hospital Zurich
Medical Lead: Prof. Dr. med. Luregn Schlapbach, PD Dr. med. Nora Lüthi
