Quality in healthcare - constant commitment is necessary
The Federal Quality Commission (EQC) has initiated a whole range of measures for quality in the healthcare sector. Today, it presented its 2023 annual report and a selection of current projects and priorities. Sick people should receive safe, high-quality treatment and care. They have the right to be treated with respect, taken seriously and involved in all matters.
A new term of office for the extra-parliamentary commissions began at the start of 2024. The Federal Quality Commission (EQC) under its new chairman, Michael Jordi, became operational extremely quickly. In the first three meetings of the current year, it has awarded seven new quality development programs and projects, launched five new calls for proposals and assessed a total of 20 grant applications, among other things.
Why and how does the Commission carry out quality development programs?
Too much or incorrectly administered medication, events during treatment that cause harm: How can they be avoided? These are challenges that the Commission is tackling. In order to avoid flying blind, each quality development program goes through cycles with an initial measurement, the development of quality measures, the introduction of these measures and a renewed measurement of success.
For example, the quality development program that the EQK has been funding in retirement and nursing homes since 2022 is initially introducing a new indicator for medication in all nursing homes in Switzerland that can be used to measure quality at the beginning and end of a cycle. A second project, which is financially supported by the EQK, is already targeting overmedication in nursing homes in certain cantons in French-speaking Switzerland. The project is testing which measures can be used to successfully achieve a reduction. These results can then be transferred to other parts of Switzerland.
Which quality development programs does the EQK support?
In addition to the program in retirement and nursing homes, the EQC 2023 has mandated a five-year program to reduce life-threatening infections (sepsis). A new program to improve the safety of surgical interventions has been running since the beginning of the year. The EQC is also currently focusing on outpatient care (Spitex). The program is due to start towards the end of the year.
Finally, the EQC held an expert workshop at the end of April this year to prioritize future program topics. The topics discussed included medication safety, psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment, diagnostic safety and interprofessional collaboration and transitions in the treatment pathway. The topic of treatment-specific guidelines is also on the monitor. The commission is currently conducting an evaluation of the workshop. It intends to launch a further program next year.
How are the needs of those affected and the population taken into account?
Since its introduction in 2021, the EQC has set itself the goal of implementing all quality measures with the participation of those affected. It has also initiated several projects specifically on this topic.
The aim of the first project is to establish and operate a publicly accessible platform for training, coaching and networking for patients, relatives and the general public as well as specialists in Switzerland. This mandate is intended to fundamentally strengthen the patient perspective. The mandate was taken on by a consortium consisting of the SPO patient organization, the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation, the Zurich Patient Office and other partners.
The second project will ask patient organizations what action they see as necessary to promote quality. The results of this study, which will be available in the first quarter of 2025, will support the Commission in selecting future priorities. A further project is currently in the public procurement phase. It is intended to show how stakeholders can also be involved at the level of the management of hospitals and other institutions and organizations. This is possible in certain countries, but is yet to be achieved in Switzerland. The EQK wants to use the mandate to show how this is possible.
The structured survey of patients on the results of their treatment is a key pillar of quality measurement. The Commission has commissioned an initial pilot project in various settings and is now turning its attention to the task of harmonizing this type of patient survey in Switzerland. The aim is a genuine and fair comparison of the quality of the various service providers, which is made transparent for the population.
How does the Quality Commission support practical initiatives?
Interested parties can submit applications for financial assistance to the Commission twice a year. Support for quality projects amounts to a maximum of 50% of the costs. In the first 3 years, the EQC has awarded CHF 8.5 million for a total of 24 projects. The focus is on projects to improve medication or to improve quality measurements (indicators and registers). The funds from Parliament's first commitment credit for financial aid (2021-2024) have practically been exhausted. A new credit is planned for the years 2025-2028.
Source: Federal Quality Commission
