The PLUS study is a national feasibility study examining whether and how a structured approach to safety culture can be implemented in Swiss healthcare organisations.
It is part of the Swiss National Quality Strategy and the project Safety Culture – Conceptual and Feasibility Study, commissioned and funded by the Federal Quality Commission (EQK).
The PLUS study focuses on learning, testing, and continuous improvement. PLUS is not a performance evaluation or benchmarking exercise.
About PLUS
What is the PLUS Intervention?
PLUS is a structured, collaborative approach that helps healthcare organisations turn safety culture assessment results into practical, locally relevant actions.
It is applicable across diverse healthcare settings and promotes co-creation, empowerment, dialogue and sustainability.
What is a Safety Culture?
Safety culture reflects how people think, act, and work together to keep patients safe. It forms the foundation for safe, high-quality care and is shaped by shared values, attitudes, and behaviours at all organisational levels.
Why Join
Why participate in the PLUS study?
A strong safety culture is a key prerequisite for patient safety. While many organisations recognise its importance, Switzerland currently lacks a nationally tested and structured approach to safety culture development.
The PLUS study addresses this gap.
PLUS is conducted in 10 healthcare organisations to test:
- whether it is feasible in real healthcare settings,
- whether it is acceptable to professionals and organisations,
- and what resources and conditions are required.
The findings will inform national recommendations and future safety culture policies and will be disseminated at both national and international level.
Benefits for participating organisations
Influence on national policy and future directions:
- take on a pioneering role in testing a structured approach to safety culture,
- provide input that will directly inform future national policy
Benefits for their organisation:
- Strengthen shared understanding and accountability for safety culture
- Advance Safety culture with structured, context-sensitive support
- Integrate safety culture into everyday organisational practice
How It Works
What does participation involve?
Participation requires only a very limited and clearly defined commitment:
- designate one local contact person,
- establish a multidisciplinary Safety Culture Team,
- take part in defined coordination meetings,
- and contribute practical experience and feedback.
Time commitment
The total time commitment is approximately 20–25 hours per organisation over the course of the study, excluding individual survey completion time.
Timeline
The overall study period runs from February 2026 to February 2027 and follows a three-phase structure:
- Baseline setup (2 months),
- PLUS implementation phase (6 months),
- Network and exchange phase (up to 5 months).
Organisations will start on a staggered basis between February and July 2026, with joint completion in February 2027.
Tools and support
Participating organisations receive:
- Structured tools and materials: Safety culture survey, reflection matrix, and basic training materials
- Facilitated reflection and prioritization: Externally facilitated maturity-level workshop
- Guidance for translating reflection into action: Support in priority setting and learning case development
- Ongoing external support: Monthly coordination meetings and ad-hoc support as needed
Downloads
Available materials
Further materials will be added as the study progresses.
Project leadership and partners
The study is led by Prof. Guy Haller (Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, University of Geneva) and Prof. Michael Simon (University of Basel) and is supported by H+ Die Spitäler der Schweiz, Patient Safety Switzerland, and Universitäre Medizin Schweiz.
Contact
Interested in participating?
If you would like to learn more about the PLUS study or explore participation for your organisation, please contact the PLUS study team.