To enhance the quality and transparency of healthcare in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Quality Commission (FQC) has launched an initiative to develop recommendations for a national quality monitoring system (QMS). Led by the Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS), a research platform coordinated by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at the University of Lucerne, the project aims to establish a foundation for continuous healthcare improvement that meets the needs of patients, providers, and policymakers alike.
Building on insights from the FQC report "Quality Monitoring and Public Reporting: Recommendations for the Swiss Healthcare System", the initiative focuses on:
Finalizing recommendations for the user groups of a national QMS
Proposing a balanced selection of quality indicators (QI) for healthcare providers across all quality dimensions
Designing a process for the ongoing review and adaptation of QIs
Active participation from cantonal health directorates, patient organizations, insurers, and other key stakeholders ensures that a future QMS reflects diverse perspectives. Stakeholders accompany the entire development process, helping to create a monitoring system that analyzes healthcare performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and enhances transparency across the healthcare landscape.
The initiative is supported by a consortium of numerous senior experts from 13 leading research institutions across Switzerland, coordinated by scientists from the Universities of Lucerne and St. Gallen.
The project will lay the groundwork for a national QMS that systematically evaluates healthcare services, supports evidence-based improvements, and enhances trust and transparency in healthcare delivery. It aims to create a system aligned with the needs of the Swiss population while advancing national healthcare quality objectives.
See the official press release here: Healthcare: launch of national quality monitoring project | Swiss Learning Health System
Prof. Dr. Alexander Geissler, Dr. Justus Vogel, Dr. David Ehlig, Jonas Backes
Swiss Learning Health System (SLHS) - University of Lucerne
Genève TEAM Ambulances - Genève TEAM Ambulances SA
Lead Ageing, Functioning Epidemiology, and Implementation Research Group - Swiss Paraplegic Research
Department of Business Economics, Health, and Social Care - Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI)
Faculty of Medicine - University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK) / University of Basel
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences - University of Basel
Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine - University Hospital Bern
School of Health Professions - Bern University of Applied Sciences
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine - University of Bern
Institute of Primary Care - University of Zurich
Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems - Unisanté Lausanne
Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine - University of Lucerne
The Swiss Federal Quality Commission (EQC)
October 2024 – September 2026