Question of the month: Why is Compassana’s medication list the safest and most up to date in the Swiss health care system?

The basis for good treatment is an up-to-date medication list. The list in the Compassana app is characterized by its traceability, among other things.

Joy Weichart

29 October 2024

Mockup App
The Compassana medication list is an important step in the right direction. (Image: NS)

Medication lists – unfortunately a tiresome topic in the Swiss healthcare system ... Because no list is up-to-date, patients do not know their own medication well enough to provide information and, in an emergency, the medication is often the only point of reference for treatment. Most errors occur in connection with medication. Therefore, this was the first topic that Compassana addressed during its development phase.

Patients who use Compassana can add their medication directly after they have downloaded the Compassana app and logged in. They scan the barcode on the medication and specify when they will be taking it, e.g. 1-0-0-0. It takes just a few minutes to draw up the list – even if there are more than ten medications.

However, there is an even quicker way. Most practice information systems can generate a so-called eMediplan. To do this, the health care professional selects the required medication and sets up the eMediplan containing a QR code. The code can be scanned by the patient directly from the health care professional’s screen. Needless to say, the eMediplan QR code also works on paper. It takes just a few seconds to carry out the scan and the entire medication list is transferred to the app.

Doctor works on an eMediplan on the monitor
Healthcare professionals can usually generate eMediplans quickly. (Image: NS)

How up-to-date and safe is the Compassana medication list?
The medication list is always up-to-date because it is managed by the person who knows at any given time which medication they are actually taking – in other words, the patient themselves. The list also shows who has added or adjusted the medication. Where the source is ‘From eMediplan’, it can be assumed that a health care professional has created this medication. As soon as patients change the dosage, the source is adjusted and the ‘From eMediplan’ label disappears.

Zoom of the medication list in the Compassana app
If you scan an eMediplan, the medicine will be labelled ‘From eMediplan’. (Image: NS)

So the upshot is: nowadays, patients can, and indeed, should take more responsibility for their own medical care. It is not that complicated and not at all time-consuming. The Compassana medication list is the most important step in this direction. In doing so, patients can support their health care providers and ensure greater patient safety and high-quality treatment with an up-to-date medication list.

We would be very pleased if you were to use the app and provide us with your feedback. We would also be happy to assist you with the initial steps if needed. Simply contact our support team.