An AI tool was used to translate this article from German.

What is CIRS?

CIRS is an anonymous reporting system for critical incidents that occur in medical care. It enables the professionals involved to report near-misses, errors and critical incidents anonymously and without fear of sanctions, to report on their experiences and to learn from the experiences of others. CIRS is therefore a valuable reporting and learning system that promotes an open error culture and continuous improvement in patient safety.

OKP and admission

Compulsory health insurance (OKP) is a fundamental component of the Swiss healthcare system, which ensures that all residents have access to high-quality medical care. With the integration of a suitable internal reporting and learning system, i.e. a CIRS, into the OKP approval criteria in accordance with Art. 58g KVV, an important milestone has been reached, as service providers who apply for approval to work at the expense of the OKP must now implement a functioning CIRS. This makes CIRS an integral part of quality promotion in the healthcare system. This underlines Switzerland’s commitment to high-quality patient care and patient safety.

Advantages for patients and specialist staff

The introduction of CIRS as the reporting and learning system for OKP approval brings numerous benefits. Patients can feel safer as a systematic approach to identifying and preventing risks is established. The more incidents are recorded, the greater the chance of identifying weaknesses in the system and eliminating them through appropriate measures. If near misses are reduced, less real damage occurs. For healthcare professionals, CIRS offers the opportunity to talk openly about errors and near misses, leading to a stronger, positive error culture and ultimately a safer, healthier environment for all involved. Improved workflows not only lead to better patient care, openness, transparency and a positive approach to errors also reduce stress and anxiety among staff and increase their satisfaction.

Challenges and opportunities

The implementation of CIRS poses challenges for some facilities, particularly in terms of creating a culture that encourages open discussions about errors without assigning blame. Nevertheless, the introduction of CIRS offers enormous opportunities for the Swiss healthcare system, including improving patient safety, employee health and promoting continuous improvement processes. It also meets the requirements for efficiency and quality in the healthcare system.

A look into the future

Integrating a reporting and learning system, or CIRS, into OKP accreditation is a significant step forward, but it is only the beginning. Continuous evaluation and improvement of CIRS will be crucial to ensure that the system remains effective and provides real value to patient safety. It is also important that all stakeholders – from healthcare professionals to patients – are involved in this process and that their experiences and feedback are used to further improve the system.

With the introduction of CIRS for OKP approval, Switzerland has taken a decisive step towards improving patient safety and promoting a culture of learning and transparency in the healthcare sector. It is a clear commitment to the importance of patient safety and continuous improvement in the healthcare system.

Our CIRS – your reporting and learning system with connection to the national network of the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation

As leading experts for various reporting systems in the Swiss healthcare sector, we can help you to fulfill the legal quality requirements easily and efficiently with our wide range of innovative software solutions.

Whether you are an inpatient facility, group practice, individual company or association, thanks to our many years of experience and cooperation with the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation, we can offer you the right CIRS solution for you with a direct connection to the national CIRS network, which has been operated by the Swiss Patient Safety Foundation since 2010. The network comprises over 300 hospitals, clinics, care homes and outpatient facilities that share their CIRS reports and work together to develop solutions. The network is financially supported and scientifically monitored by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

And as an inpatient facility, we also offer you our H-VIGILANZ to meet the requirements for medication safety in accordance with Art. 58d KVV.

Do you have any questions? The links below to our product pages will provide you with further information. And please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We will be happy to support you.

Important links:
Reporting and learning system | H-CIRS Starter
CIRS reporting system| CIRS outpatient
CIRSoutpatient – patient safety
Vigilancereporting system for the medical sector