Up to 15% of hospital patients in Switzerland suffer negative consequences from inadequate medication or incorrect treatment, according to a report by the Federal Health Office.
“Switzerland has a good healthcare system compared with other countries. But it is costly,” health office director Pascal Strupler told a news conference on Friday. “Considering this, the quality of healthcare in Switzerland needs improving.”
The report found that an estimated 20% of older patients either do not receive the drugs suitable to treat their illnesses or they suffer from infections.
The authors also point out that the lack of relevant information about incorrect treatment hinders progress to improve the situation and to carry out regular checks.
The health office added that under a legal amendment approved by parliament, the government could intervene. As of 2021 health insurers, hospitals and doctors have to agree to binding quality standards.
More
More
Switzerland’s sole volunteer paramedic service
This content was published on
Croce Verde (Green Cross) Lugano is a non-profit that runs an ambulance service, a low-cost dental practice and first aid training courses.
Macron will attend Swiss summit on Ukraine, says Zelensky
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the peace conference on Ukraine at the Swiss Bürgenstock resort next month, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
Top politician tells ‘corrupt’ Eurovision to stay away from Bern
This content was published on
A social media post by the president of Bern’s cantonal government critical of the Eurovision Song Contest has created waves and will be discussed in the cantonal parliament.
Swiss centre records over 200 victims of human trafficking
This content was published on
Last year 317 people took part in a protection programme run by the Specialist Unit for Trafficking in Women and Women’s Migration (FIZ) in German-speaking Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and partners are opening a field hospital in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment
This content was published on
Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Police clear out pro-Palestinian students protesting in Geneva
This content was published on
The police intervened early on Tuesday to dislodge pro-Palestinian students who had been occupying the University of Geneva for almost a week.
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
More than 50% of hospital infections ‘avoidable’
This content was published on
It has been two years since Switzerland launched a campaign to lower the infection rate, and, as a report reveals, work still needs to be done.
This content was published on
Improper sterilization practices at medical device manufacturers and hospitals blamed for rise in infections among patients.
This content was published on
Progress has been made in reducing infections picked up in hospitals and care homes in Switzerland, thanks to improved prevention efforts.
This content was published on
Multidrug-resistant gut bacteria called vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are on the rise in Swiss hospitals. The strains are identical to those causing infections in Australia and New Zealand.
Lucerne research finds how to cut antibiotic overuse in babies
This content was published on
Researchers has successfully tested a way of targeting antibiotic therapy in new-born babies, thereby avoiding unnecessary treatment and side effects.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.