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.
Further information can be found on the official website of the Federal Quality Commission:
Our mission
Our mission is to advocate comprehensively and at a national level for the prevention, early detection and treatment of sepsis. We are committed to supporting sepsis patients and their families so that they have access to the necessary information and clinical care. By implementing the recommendations formulated in the Swiss Sepsis National Action Plan (SSNAP), we aim to reduce the burden of disease caused by sepsis throughout Switzerland.
Our main objectives:
- Prevention: We are committed to increasing public awareness and understanding of sepsis. We promote and support preventive measures to reduce the incidence of this life-threatening disease.
- Detection: Through education and training, we want to improve the early detection of sepsis, both among medical staff and the general public, so that rapid, effective treatment is possible.
- Treatment: We advocate for best practices in sepsis treatment and diagnosis and support healthcare facilities in implementing evidence-based protocols to improve patient outcomes.
- Support: Our program supports patients and their families on their post-sepsis journey by providing access to information, materials and a support network. We also actively promote care and awareness of post-sepsis syndrome.
Our Executive Board
Anja Jordi, MA
Operational Program Manager
Biography
PD Dr. med. Nora Lüthi
Medical Program Manager
Biography
PD Dr. med. Nora Lüthi is a specialist in Intensive Care Medicine and General Internal Medicine with a postgraduate diploma in epidemiology from the the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is the Medical Program Manager for the Swiss Sepsis Program and oversees the implementation of the Swiss National Action Plan. Dr Lüthi has worked as a senior researcher at the ANZICS RC in Melbourne, Australia, and was one of the principal investigators and coordinators of the VITAMINS trial, a multi-centre study of the effects of vitamin C in patients with septic shock. Her research focuses on improving outcomes in critically ill patients through evidence-based interventions and clinical trials, and she is dedicated to advancing sepsis research and quality improvement in healthcare.
PD Dr. med. Christine Thurnheer
Medical Lead – Work Package 2 and 3
Biography
PD Dr. med. Christine Thurnheer is an Infectious Disease specialist and senior consultant at Bern University Hospital, where she incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of sepsis into her daily practice. Being part of the Swiss Sepsis Program allows her to work on a healthcare issue that is particularly close to her heart, driving her commitment to improving outcomes for sepsis patients.
Dr. Thurnheer leads Work Package 2 (WP 2), which focuses on raising sepsis awareness through public campaigns and building sepsis champions and ambassadors. In this role, she will work closely with a communication specialist to enhance both public and professional recognition of sepsis across Switzerland.
Additionally, she co-leads Work Package 3 (WP 3), which is dedicated to the education of healthcare workers. By developing and implementing targeted training programs, she aims to ensure early detection and better management of sepsis, further contributing to improved patient outcomes.