Switzerland Announces Swiss National Action Plan (SSNAP)
A COORDINATED NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO STOP SEPSIS-RELATED PREVENTABLE DEATHS AND TO IMPROVE THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SEPSIS IN SWITZERLAND
Sepsis is when our body’s response to infection causes a shutdown of vital organs. It is a devastating disease responsible for over 10 million deaths worldwide every year. In Switzerland, studies have estimated that sepsis affects about 20,000 people and causes almost 3,500 deaths every year. Up to half of those who survive will suffer long-term, sometimes life-long, adverse consequences of sepsis. Sepsis can affect people of any age and health condition. The most vulnerable groups are newborns and young infants, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions or reduced immune defenses.
In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared sepsis a global health priority. The 2021 European Sepsis Report revealed that – contrary to other European countries – Switzerland had not yet actioned the sepsis resolution. In response, a group of over 50 sepsis experts (including clinical, academic, and policy professionals, and sepsis survivors) reviewed the needs, gaps, and strategies to address sepsis in Switzerland.
The expert panel identified sepsis as a key priority that requires a coordinated national approach and formulated a Swiss Sepsis National Action Plan (SSNAP). The four key recommendations include:
Raising awareness of sepsis in the public as well as improving sepsis-specific education in the healthcare workforce, and improving prevention of sepsis.
Establishing and implementing standards for rapid detection, treatment, and follow-up in sepsis patients.
Creating support systems for sepsis survivors.
Promoting research on sepsis.
The panel encouraged realistic strategies, fitting to the Swiss context, which is guided by evidence. Specifically, Switzerland should learn from successful sepsis programs in other countries, while using the local expertise, networks, and culture to meet the needs of the Swiss population. The Swiss Sepsis National Action Plan lists specific recommendations which should result in improved patient-centered care in Switzerland. The implementation of these recommendations is expected to save lives, reduce the long-term burden of sepsis on families, and reduce costs for the Swiss health care system.
The SSNAP has been endorsed by the following Swiss professional societies:
Interest Group Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (IGPNI) Switzerland
Pediatric Infectious Disease Group of Switzerland (PIGS)
Public Health Swiss
Swiss Institute for Medical Education and Training (SIWF)
Swiss Patient Safety Foundation
Swiss Society for Infectious Diseases (SGINF)
Swiss Society of Emergency and Rescue Medicine (SGNOR)
Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine (SSGIM)
Swiss Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SSICM)
Swiss Society of Microbiology (SGM-SSM)
Swiss Society of Neonatology
Swiss Society of Pediatrics (SGP)