For several years now, Hôpital de La Tour has been actively working to combat medical procedures that may be unnecessary and potentially harmful to patients, becoming the first private institution to join the “SmarterMedicine, Choosing Wisely Switzerland” campaign. As part of this effort, healthcare professionals can track their antibiotic prescription rates to ensure they are prescribing antibiotics effectively and judiciously. In this way, they are joining the fight against the misuse of antibiotics, which can lead to a reduction in—or even the complete loss of—antibiotics’ effectiveness against bacteria.
Globally, there has been an increase in infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In Switzerland, the Swiss Center for the Control of Antibiotic Resistance monitors the situation and publishes annual reports on hospital consumption.
The main results are presented as a percentage of the “Defined Daily Dose” (DDD), which is defined as the presumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its primary indication in adults. This is a quality indicator for prescribing practices.
The 2023 report, published in July 2024, demonstrates the institution’s commitment by consistently placing it below the national average for antibiotic consumption.
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Antibiotic Use:
Antibiotic use in DDD per 100 bed-days: 38.6 HDLT compared to 52.2 for the Swiss average among hospitals of similar size
- Antifungal drug use:
Antifungal drug use in DDD per 100 bed-days: 0.8 HDLT compared to 1 for the Swiss average among hospitals of similar size
- Antibiotic Use in the Intensive Care Unit:
Antibiotic use in DDD/100 bed-days in the intensive care unit: 35.8 HDLT compared to 89.7 for the Swiss average among hospitals of similar size
In keeping with the motto “Less is more,” Hôpital de La Tour continues to monitor prescriptions internally, thereby prioritizing quality over quantity.