Development of a value-based healthcare delivery model for sarcoma patients 

Value-based health care aims to deliver high and rising value for the patient by addressing unmet needs and controlling costs. This article describes how the value-based health care delivery principles are being adopted and fine-tuned to the care of sarcoma patients, and already partially integrated in seven major referral hospitals in Switzerland.

Presentations with reported methamphetamine use to an urban emergency department in Switzerland

Most patients with reported methamphetamine use were young and male, with signs of sympathomimetic arousal and/or psychiatric symptoms. Although ED visits with reports of methamphetamine use appear to be uncommon, consumption-related health problems can require significant pre- and in-hospital resources.

Seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population of the southern Switzerland (Canton Ticino) – cohort study, results at 12 months

The results of this study support the hypothesis that, after one year and despite the severe burden in terms of hospitalisations and deaths experienced by the Canton Ticino, SARS-CoV-2 infection affected only a minority of the population (20%) and also suggest that the anti-nucleocapsid antibodies persist after 12 months in the majority of infected persons.

Critical incident reporting over time: a retrospective, descriptive analysis of 5493 cases

This study revealed that the efferent loop (feedback, preventive actions taken) was the weakest part of the CIRS, indicating that no learning may have resulted from a large number of reports. This highlights that special attention must be paid to the efferent loop of a CIRS to fulfil the purpose of such a reporting system and ultimately to improve patient safety.

Complications and cost estimations in herpes zoster – a retrospective analysis at a Swiss tertiary dermatology clinic

In this herpes zoster population at a university hospital, one in three patients was affected by herpes zoster-related complications. Age and cancer were independently associated with a high complication rate, suggesting a need to vaccinate cancer patients. Herpes zoster-related complications and the need for inpatient treatment escalated the costs per case.

HCV RNA quantification in capillary dried blood spots with the Xpert® HCV Viral Load test for diagnosing chronic HCV infection, monitoring treatment and detecting reinfection

HCV RNA can reliably be quantified with the Xpert® HCV VL test in capillary dried blood spot samples. Thus, access to capillary HCV RNA quantification for diagnosing chronic HCV infection, monitoring treatment and detecting reinfection can be extended to decentralised settings with a low case load.

Long-term follow-up of medically treated patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a prospective, Swiss single-centre cohort study

This spontaneous coronary artery dissection series highlights its highly variable clinical course during the acute phase and in the long term. Although most SCAD patients can be treated conservatively with subsequent healing of the dissection and good clinical outcome, there are also patients with dramatic acute presentation or major cardiovascular events several years after the initial presentation.

Taxation options for nicotine and tobacco products in Switzerland – a review of tax policies

This article analyses approaches for imposing taxes on tobacco and nicotine products and possible outcomes, depending on the intended public health goals.

SwissPedData: Standardising hospital records for the benefit of paediatric research

SwissPedData is a set of common data elements for information to be collected in electronic health records of Swiss children’s hospitals. It covers all care processes including clinical and paraclinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, disposition and care site. All participating hospitals agreed to implement SwissPedData in their clinical routine and clinic information systems.

Is laparoscopic major hepatectomy feasible and safe in Swiss cantonal hospitals?

This first report from Switzerland evaluating outcomes of laparoscopic major hepatectomies showed no difference in complications and clinical non-inferiority compared with open major hepatectomy.

Prevalence, modes of administration and motives for cannabidiol use in young Swiss men

Self-reported use of CBD is common among young Swiss men: about one third used CBD in their life and about one in five in the previous 12 months. However, the vast majority of CBD users used it infrequently and out of curiosity.

Ineffectiveness and unlikelihood of benefit: dealing with the concept of futility in medicine

Based on the guidelines of the SAMS, the discussion presented here seeks to elucidate the concept of futility and to determine how it relates not only to ineffectiveness and unlikelihood of benefit but also to the establishment of a medical indication.