IFAS Zurich

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

eHealth

The use of digital tools and information technology in healthcare, including electronic patient records, teleconsultation platforms, apps and connected devices. It sits alongside hardware, consumables and practice equipment in the product mix healthcare buyers come to IFAS to review.

2

Medical device

A product used for the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease. Devices placed on the European market are regulated under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745), and on the Swiss market under Swissmedic oversight. Classification, technical documentation and CE marking are routine questions for buyers.

3

Swissmedic

Switzerland's national authority for therapeutic products. It authorises and supervises medicines and medical devices placed on the Swiss market, so suppliers showing at Swiss healthcare fairs must be able to explain their Swissmedic status.

4

In-vitro diagnostics (IVD)

Tests performed on samples taken from the human body, such as blood, urine or tissue, to detect disease or monitor treatment. IVDs are regulated separately from other medical devices, in the EU under the IVD Regulation (IVDR 2017/746).

5

Point-of-care testing (POCT)

Diagnostic testing performed close to the patient, in a medical practice, pharmacy or ward, instead of in a central laboratory. Typical examples are rapid infection, inflammation, coagulation and blood-glucose tests.

6

Practice management software (PMS)

Software used by medical practices for appointment scheduling, patient records, billing and insurer claims. In Switzerland it must handle the outpatient tariff systems used for physician billing (TARMED and, increasingly, TARDOC).

7

Hospital information system (HIS)

An integrated platform covering a hospital's clinical, administrative and financial workflows, from admissions and orders through results, medication and billing. Interoperability with existing hospital IT is a standard evaluation criterion for hospital buyers.

8

Central sterile services department (CSSD)

The hospital or clinic unit responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, sterilising and tracking reusable surgical instruments. It drives demand for washer-disinfectors, sterilisers, packaging and instrument-tracking systems.

9

Telemedicine

Remote delivery of clinical services through video consultation, secure messaging or remote monitoring, used for triage, follow-up and specialist advice. Reimbursement rules and data protection are the main adoption questions in Switzerland.

10

SwissDRG

The diagnosis-related group system used to pay for inpatient hospital care in Switzerland. Because it fixes case-based hospital revenue, it strongly shapes how Swiss hospitals budget for equipment and consumables.

11

Healthcare professional (HCP)

A licensed practitioner such as a physician, pharmacist, nurse, physiotherapist or dental professional. Healthcare trade fairs of the IFAS type are typically aimed at HCPs, practice managers and institutional buyers rather than the general public.

12

Medical practice consumables

Single-use and recurring supplies used in day-to-day practice, including dressings, syringes, examination gloves, disinfection products and diagnostic strips. They are high-frequency purchase items for practices and clinics.