Hospitals weigh in on healthcare quality debate

The hospital in Interlaken is one of nearly 300 clinics across Switzerland Keystone

Quality standards in hospitals in Switzerland are high according to a nationwide survey commissioned by the hospital association.

A total of 59% of respondents rated the quality of care as “quite good”, while 35% gave it top marks.

 In terms of credibility Swiss hospitals and doctors are on par, according to the survey published on Wednesday.

A clear majority of 81% came out in favour of a system of hospitals offering basic health care and emergency services in every region of the country, accessible to patients within about 15 minutes.

There are currently 298 hospitals and clinics in Switzerland, according to official statistics.

Quality centre

The survey of 1210 people across the country, carried out by the GfS Bern research institute, comes amid continuing political discussions about the costs and quality of healthcare provision in Switzerland.

Based on international comparisons, the government said one in ten patients in Swiss clinics become victims of medical error as a result of poor diagnosis, infections or wrong medication.

In May, Interior Minister Alain Berset presented plans for a national quality centre to examine costly treatments and their benefits.

The hospital association has dismissed the proposal as unnecessary.

As part of a legal amendment the funding of hospital treatments has been based on a system of classifying hospital cases in so called Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG), defining products and services provided by hospitals for a certain price.