15.09.2025

Patient Safety Week 2025

Patient safety from the start.

From 15.09.2025 to 19.09.2025, Switzerland's national Patient Safety Week will be held. Swiss Medical Network is following the WHO's theme for World Patient Safety Day on 17 September with the slogan «Patient safety from the start!» It is also inspired by the theme «Keeping an eye on the risks - child's play?» adapted by the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation.

Patient safety is an absolute priority for Swiss Medical Network's healthcare establishments. The campaign aims to raise awareness among patients and professionals of the crucial moments that arise from the very start of care, right through to the intervention or treatment.

What does «Patient safety from the start» mean ?

Patientpathway

Identity vigilance

The goal of the campaign?

What role do the healthcare professionals play?

What can I do as a patient?

FAQ

What does «Patient safety from the start» mean ?

A patient's safety can be considerably improved by systematic checks at specific points during their care. Given the theme chosen by the WHO, we are focusing on patient safety from the time of admission right through to the start of the operation or treatment. The campaign highlights the importance of collaboration between patients and professionals to prevent risks.

Identity checks begin as soon as the patient is admitted and continue at each new stage in the patient's itinerary. Correct patient identification, accurate documentation, structured reporting, and the use of surgical safety checklists are all examples of this. The patient must be involved, even if these identity-vigilance steps are repetitive, to tighten the safety nets.

The patient journey

Checking the patient

Patients must be clearly identified and their administrative details correctly recorded. This avoids confusion and ensures safe treatment.

Patient wristband

The patient wears a correctly labelled wristband, which is checked at every identity check. This ensures secure identification and avoids confusion.

Relevant history & pre-operative examinations identity check

All information relevant to treatment (allergies, medication) is recorded and documented on admission. Before each examination, the patient's identity and the correct identification of samples are checked - if necessary with a double check (e.g. blood group). This ensures the safety of treatment.

Document control

All the required documents are complete and correct. Delays are avoided and processing runs smoothly.

Checking the room

The patient's room is prepared according to the patient's needs, e.g. the doorbell works and aids are within reach and locked. The patient's safety and well-being are guaranteed.

Transfer in complete safety

When the patient is handed over, all the relevant information is transmitted in a complete, structured and comprehensible manner. This ensures continuity of care and high quality of care.

Checklist for safe surgery

The surgical checklist is comprehensive and applied at every stage of the process. Safety is guaranteed throughout the perioperative process.

What is identity vigilance?

Identitovigilance is the set of procedures and measures implemented to ensure the reliability of patient identification in order to secure their healthcare data at every stage of their care.
Guaranteeing the security and accuracy of patient identification is essential to prevent medical errors and protect sensitive data. This also includes pre-operative checks, which are carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation and the WHO.

What is the aim of the campaign?

To highlight the key stages of care prior to an operation or treatment where identity or security checks are crucial, and to emphasise the importance of collaboration between patients and professionals. Everyone must be actively involved in the important role they play in the checks process.
Identifying these key stages and carrying them out in accordance with evidence-based data is essential to guarantee high-quality patient care.

Find out more about this campaign and take part in the webinars and quizzes organised as part of Patient Safety Week.

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What is the role of the professionals?

Carry out regular checks on the patient's identity.
Check all documentation on admission, during the intake interview, prior to surgery or treatment, etc.
Check alarm systems and the patient's immediate environment.
Use safety checklists systematically and in accordance with guidelines.
Record patient information accurately.
Communicate with patients using open questions and validated inter-professional communication tools (ISBAR, Speak-Up, etc.).
Inform patients of the importance of identity vigilance.
Identify and correct inconsistencies quickly.
Be familiar with and apply current reference standards based on scientific evidence.

How can I contribute to my safety as a patient?

Check personal details (admission, identity bracelet, etc.).
Confirm personal details at each stage of the care, even if they may seem repetitive.
Always give full name and date of birth before an examination.
Give medical history or allergies when asked.
Inform about any changes or errors in personal details, medication or state of health.
Ask questions when in doubt.

FAQ

Why am I constantly being asked for my personal details?

There are a number of key stages in your care. At each stage, your identity must be verified to ensure that you receive the right care at the right time.

What happens if there are errors in my personal data?

An error in the spelling of your name, your date of birth or your address can make it difficult to identify you correctly.

Do I really have to wear the bracelet all the time?

Yes, the identification bracelet is a fundamental element in your safety. It allows the various health professionals who care for you to confirm your identity at all times, so that you receive the right treatment at the right time.

Why is it important for me to report any changes in my medication?

Your medication may have an influence on your care. It is essential that the nursing staff know exactly what you are taking in order to guarantee continuity in your treatment or to adjust it if necessary.

A look back at last year's Patient Safety Week

Patient Safety Week 2024

Expert opinions on Patient Safety Week

Sources

World Health Organization (2025). World Patient Safety Day, 17 September 2025: "Safe care for every newborn and every child". https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2025/09/17/default-calendar/world-patient-safety-day--17-september-2025--patient-safety-from-the-start.
Sécurité des patients suisse (2025), Semaine d’action pour la sécurité des patient·e·s 2025. https://patientensicherheit.ch/fr/semaine-daction/.
Sécurité des patients suisse (2025), COM-Check-Sécruité chirugicale. COM-Check – Sécurité chirurgicale - Patientensicherheit.

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Patient Safety Week 2025

What does «Patient safety from the start» mean ?

The patient journey

Checking the patient

Patient wristband

Relevant history & pre-operative examinations identity check

Document control

Checking the room

Transfer in complete safety

Checklist for safe surgery

What is identity vigilance?

What is the aim of the campaign?

Find out more about this campaign and take part in the webinars and quizzes organised as part of Patient Safety Week.

What is the role of the professionals?

How can I contribute to my safety as a patient?

FAQ

Why am I constantly being asked for my personal details?

What happens if there are errors in my personal data?

Do I really have to wear the bracelet all the time?

Why is it important for me to report any changes in my medication?

A look back at last year's Patient Safety Week

Patient Safety Week 2024

Expert opinions on Patient Safety Week