Introduction: Definition & Application of the Swiss Cheese Model
The Swiss cheese model of accident causation is a model used in risk analysis and risk management. It also includes aviation safety, engineering, healthcare, emergency service organizations. This approach is also used as the principle behind layered security used in computer security and defense in depth. It likens human systems to multiple slices of Swiss cheese, stacked side by side.
The risk of a threat becoming a reality is mitigated by the differing layers and types of defenses which are “layered” behind each other. Therefore, in theory, lapses and weaknesses in one defense do not allow a risk to materialize preventing a single point of failure. The model was originally introduced by James T. Reason of the University of Manchester,[1] and has since gained widespread acceptance. It is sometimes called the “cumulative act effect”.
Understanding the “Swiss Cheese Model” and Its Application to Patient Safety
ABSTRACT This article reviews several key aspects of the Theory of Active and Latent Failures, typically referred to as the Swiss cheese model of human error and accident causation. Although the Swiss cheese model has become well known in most safety circles, there are several aspects of its underlying theory that are often misunderstood. Some authors have dismissed the Swiss cheese model as an oversimplification of how accidents occur, whereas others have attempted to modify the model to make it better equipped to deal with the complexity of human error in health care.
This narrative review aims to provide readers with a better understanding and greater appreciation of the Theory of Active and Latent Failures upon which the Swiss cheese model is based. The goal is to help patient safety professionals fully leverage the model and its associated tools when performing a root cause analysis as well as other patient safety activities.
@article{Wiegmann2021UnderstandingT, title={Understanding the “Swiss Cheese Model” and Its Application to Patient Safety}, author={Douglas A. Wiegmann and Laura J Wood and Tara N. Cohen and Scott Shappell}, journal={Journal of Patient Safety}, year={2021}, volume={18}, pages={119 – 123} }
The Swiss cheese model (SCM) is also an approach to health promotion. It assumes that health is not a simple, single entity but rather the accumulation of many different factors. The Swiss cheese metaphor illustrates how multiple layers of protection act together to prevent holes in a defense against disease.
Inception of the Swiss Cheese Model in the Health Industry
It was first introduced to the health sector by the American epidemiologist John Wennberg in 1984. Wennberg used the Swiss cheese model to explain how multiple influences contribute to better health outcomes.
In the Swiss cheese model, a person’s health is seen as a “Swiss cheese with holes”. The cheese stands for the defense system to disease and each hole represents the required defense mechanism.
The general principle behind the Swiss cheese model in most instances is using multiple backup, alternative or repetitive approaches to a problem or potential problem.
The example of automobile safety is just one sector using this principle when crash testing their cars. It began many years ago with the mandate of seat belts and continued from there. When the industry came out with air bags years later, they did not abandon the seat belt. The seat belt was one slice of swiss cheese in a bunch of slices from safer frames, tires, brakes, etc. This multi layered swiss cheese approach for automobile safety exemplifies how the weak points were shored up to ultimately block the holes and attain greater overall safety.
Holistic Health is the Swiss Cheese Model
On the flipside, health can be lost due to many risk factors or holes in the swiss cheese. This metaphor was originally coined by John Wennberg who used it in reaction to the medical profession’s focus on individual diseases rather than looking at the whole set of risk factors that might affect their patients. In other words, prevention instead of reaction.
The analogy or metaphor remains the same in that we do not want the holes in swiss cheese to line up or there would be no cheese! Joking aside, we can either take the defensive by treating symptoms of disease, or we can preemptively attack all potential causes before they gain traction!
The message for this article is to assess the present and future of healthcare in America and present the benefits of multi pronged preventative health interventions.
Health Practices in the West are at a Crossroad
From this author’s viewpoint, we have reached critical mass in our western medical approach to health. We have splintered into health and natural wellness vs. pharmaceutical camps. It has never been more volatile and insane than the present with vaccine mandates.
Prior to this, people had freedom of choice of how or what they did with their bodies short of getting busted for illegal drugs. When I was a kid growing up, I would watch doctors on tv speak about what brand of cigarette they smoked but pharmaceutical ads were not allowed! The FTC and other regulators obviously got it wrong with the cigarette propaganda, but I think they were right on by not allowing advertisement of pharmaceutical drugs.
Nowadays, we are bombarded with ads and told to tell our doctor about the latest drug! This is madness and has developed a huge number of followers that go tell their doctor about the newest drug they need! The average citizen in the US takes between three to four prescription drugs! That is the national average!
Another portion of Americans like myself take zero pharmaceuticals. Rare exceptions of needing a round of antibiotics to stop serious infection or pain killers after a broken bone occurs. Instead of a healthy Swiss Cheese approach, big pharma bullheadedly refuses to work for the people any longer it seems.
Big Pharma Battle with Natural Swiss Cheese Model Approach
So, it appears that the drug takers are applying the Swiss cheese approach more than the naturalists at this point. This is where it becomes clear to me at least that the naturopathic types actually become the example of this principle. How?
We do not rely on a drug or series of drugs for our health but a multi faceted, hole blocking Swiss cheese model approach through, diet, exercise, vitamins, minerals, nutraceuticals, herbs, homeopathy, prayer, meditation, etc., etc., in other words, the 8 pillars of holistic health! Now that’s applying the Swiss cheese model to block all those holes!
I am not saying that western medicine is all bad because we do require fixing of broken bones, torn ligaments, removal of a burst appendix, etc. On the other hand, they have become literal drug pushers and lost their way when it comes to the social contract we once had between patients and doctors.
The Dark Reality is Getting Exposed
As of this writing, the public is just beginning to become aware of the medical tyranny of the vax shots and will soon understand how evil and for profit the medical industry has become. Thousands of deaths from the shot have already happened. This is unforgiveable and yet they will not even allow certain proven therapeutics to fight the virus and instead forge ahead with their lethal spike protein producing jabs.
So do we continue to use the Swiss cheese model in the health care industry by coming up with drugs after the cows have left the barn or do we embrace preventative measures finally?
We have given western medicine and big pharma several decades and I think most will agree that the present state is quite disappointing. How about we try a new approach?
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
I suggest that everyone begin by taking personal responsibility for their health and wellness today! Even if big pharma came up with a cure all pill, (they could but will never market it) why would anyone ignore all facets of health and put their lives on the line for a pill or shot that will require purchasing forever? They are drug pushers remember? Never a cure but only something to string you along and get you hooked and then require other drugs to counteract the side effects of the original!
People have gotten fat, lazy and stupid and believe that big government and big pharma actually care about them! News Flash; they don’t! We are entering a phase in the world where the clueless, state dependent people, are in for a big shock. Those who have not lost their minds and still have critical thinking, stand a chance.
I implore anyone sleeping through this big pharma, new world order takeover to pay attention and stop listening solely to main stream media and companies that make billions off selling you drugs.
NY Times article referencing the use of the Swiss Cheese model approach for pandemic
Back to the Future
Get back to nature and go out in the sun and take it one step at a time. Stop ignoring what is going on around you and get healthy. A healthy body makes for a healthy mind and by using the preemptive Swiss cheese model, you can plug all the entry holes for disease and poor health and become truly free!
Read and watch our videos and others out there to get you on the right track back to what nature intended for you. Learn proper eating habits, get clean air and water and do some regular exercise like walking to begin your journey. Take it from an old timer that has taken the natural path for many decades that there is no better way to live than through what mother nature and God has given us! And by the way, Swiss cheese is a low carb, high protein food that is fairly low calories, especially the holes.
