COVID-19 Switzerland
Information on the current situation, as of 28 November 2023
Certified and ad-hoc beds
Intensive care units (ICUs), Geneva, 30.03.2020 to 01.05.2023
The factors relevant for the number of certified beds in intensive care units are the necessary staff, spatial requirements and technical equipment. Certification is carried out by the Swiss Society of Intensive Care Medicine (SGI/FMH).
The number of «certified beds» represents fully occupied intensive care units. Short-term fluctuations in this figure result from reporting gaps. These fluctuations have no consequences in terms of patient care. Provided that they utilise at least 60 per cent of their certified beds on average over the year, hospitals are free to decide whether they operate all or only a portion of their certified beds.
«Ad-hoc beds» are additional places for treatment outside the certified rooms. Patients are cared for with the help of other specialist staff from areas such as anaesthesia. The figure represents the intensive care beds that are reported and currently run by the hospitals, but which are not certified. The operation of ad-hoc beds is only permitted in disasters or other extraordinary situations. If a hospital operates ad-hoc beds in situations other than these, the intensive care unit in question will lose its certification.
The figure for «total beds operated» represents the sum of certified beds operated and ad-hoc beds operated. These are beds reported by the hospitals in intensive care units in which patients can be treated with available, qualified specialists and other staff in combination with shift work and special deployments.
The figures reported by the hospitals remain valid for a maximum of seven days.
The number of «certified beds» represents fully occupied intensive care units. Short-term fluctuations in this figure result from reporting gaps. These fluctuations have no consequences in terms of patient care. Provided that they utilise at least 60 per cent of their certified beds on average over the year, hospitals are free to decide whether they operate all or only a portion of their certified beds.
«Ad-hoc beds» are additional places for treatment outside the certified rooms. Patients are cared for with the help of other specialist staff from areas such as anaesthesia. The figure represents the intensive care beds that are reported and currently run by the hospitals, but which are not certified. The operation of ad-hoc beds is only permitted in disasters or other extraordinary situations. If a hospital operates ad-hoc beds in situations other than these, the intensive care unit in question will lose its certification.
The figure for «total beds operated» represents the sum of certified beds operated and ad-hoc beds operated. These are beds reported by the hospitals in intensive care units in which patients can be treated with available, qualified specialists and other staff in combination with shift work and special deployments.
The figures reported by the hospitals remain valid for a maximum of seven days.
The hospital capacity data from more than 150 hospitals and clinics in Switzerland is collected by the Coordinated Medical Services (CMS) using the Information and Operations System (IOS). The CMS, the FOPH, the Swiss Society for Intensive Care Medicine (SSICM) and the H+ Association of Swiss Hospitals have jointly determined the data to be collected.
Intensive care medicine is a medical and nursing treatment that is dependent on different, technically highly complex devices (intensive care units) and requires close-knit support by specialized teams. The time frame desired can be selected with the slider below the graph.
Intensive care medicine is a medical and nursing treatment that is dependent on different, technically highly complex devices (intensive care units) and requires close-knit support by specialized teams. The time frame desired can be selected with the slider below the graph.
The Medical Services Coordination Committee (MSCC) and the Coordinated Medical Service (CMS) have decided to lift the requirement to report hospital capacity with effect from 1 May 2023. The data on the Covid-19 dashboard will therefore no longer be updated.
Certified beds
Certified beds operated
Ad hoc beds operated
Beds