Sepsis – Working together for better prevention, early detection and treatment
Swiss Sepsis Report: 4,000 registered deaths per year
- The Swiss Sepsis Report 2025 shows that hospitals register around 20,000 cases of sepsis annually, of which more than 500 are in children. Around 4,000 of those affected die every year. The report estimates the actual number of cases to be significantly higher.
- According to the report, the disease causes over 1 billion Swiss francs in direct hospital costs annually. If rehabilitation, follow-up care and the treatment of complications are factored in over the next three years, the direct costs are estimated to be around 2 billion Swiss francs annually.
- On World Sepsis Day 2025, private individuals and professionals signed the Swiss Sepsis Declaration, committing to improving the situation and advocating for early detection, rapid and consistent treatment, and appropriate follow-up care for sepsis.

With numbers and fates in front of the media
On World Sepsis Day 2025, representatives of the Swiss Sepsis Program appeared before the Swiss media. For the first time, they presented the Swiss Sepsis Report with current figures on sepsis cases, deaths and costs in Switzerland. Two patients told of their very personal, tragic sepsis fates and thus gave the figures a face.



What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the body’s own immune response to an infection damages its own tissue and organs. Without early detection and treatment, it can progress rapidly, lead to organ failure and septic shock and be fatal. Sepsis is one of the most common causes of preventable mortality and morbidity worldwide.
National Sepsis Program
The National Sepsis Program is committed to improving awareness, recognition, treatment and prevention of sepsis in Switzerland. By implementing the recommendations of the National Sepsis Action Plan (SSNAP), it contributes to reducing the impact and burden of sepsis nationwide. It also strengthens support for sepsis survivors and their families.
The program promotes advocacy and education, develops and implements treatment standards and a sepsis registry to improve the quality of care.
Funded by the Federal Quality Commission it reflects the national commitment to sustainably improve healthcare and outcomes for people with sepsis.
More on the topic of “Sepsis”
Find out more about us!
We are a dedicated team of clinicians and project managers who are jointly leading the 5-year national quality improvement program for sepsis in Switzerland.

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Whether as a healthcare professional, patient or committed citizen – there are many ways to get involved in our cause. Together we can make a difference.
