World Patient Safety Day (17 Sep)
World Patient Safety Day is a global day of observance instituted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 17 September 2019 to raise awareness of patient safety worldwide. The observance aims to promote global actions to prevent and reduce patient harm, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of patient safety among healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public.
Patient safety concerns the prevention of errors and adverse effects to patients associated with healthcare. It involves the establishment and implementation of organizational processes and practices to achieve acceptable levels of patient safety.
According to WHO, unsafe healthcare harms millions of people every year. Up to 50% of patients are harmed while receiving healthcare in primary and ambulatory settings. It is estimated that 4 in 10 patients are harmed in hospitals in developed countries.
World Patient Safety Day highlights the importance of patient safety in healthcare delivery, acknowledging that patient safety incidents are often preventable. It underscores the need for healthcare systems to prioritize patient safety by implementing effective strategies and interventions to minimize the risks of patient harm.
The day encourages healthcare organizations, healthcare professionals, patients, and policymakers to work together to improve patient safety by:
- Raising awareness of the importance of patient safety
- Advocating for patient safety policies and practices
- Sharing knowledge and best practices on patient safety
- Promoting a culture of safety in healthcare organizations
World Patient Safety Day is marked with various activities and events worldwide, including educational campaigns, workshops, conferences, and patient safety awareness initiatives. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations often participate by conducting patient safety-related activities, distributing educational materials, and promoting patient safety initiatives.
Celebrating World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day is celebrated annually on September 17 to raise awareness about patient safety and to promote actions to prevent harm to patients.
A variety of activities are organized around the world to mark the day, including:
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Educational Campaigns: Healthcare organizations, patient safety advocates, and government agencies conduct educational campaigns to raise awareness about patient safety issues, common risks, and strategies to prevent harm.
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Conferences and Seminars: Conferences, seminars, and workshops are held to bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients to discuss patient safety challenges, share best practices, and identify solutions.
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Patient Safety Pledges: Healthcare workers, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to take patient safety pledges, committing to prioritize patient safety in their work and to take steps to reduce harm.
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Safety Huddles and Briefings: Hospitals and healthcare facilities hold safety huddles and briefings to discuss patient safety concerns, review near-misses or adverse events, and develop strategies to prevent future incidents.
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Social Media Campaigns: Social media campaigns using hashtags like #WorldPatientSafetyDay, #PatientSafetyFirst, and #ZeroHarm are used to raise awareness, share patient safety messages, and encourage engagement.
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Research and Innovation: Patient safety organizations, research institutions, and healthcare providers collaborate to conduct research and promote innovations that can improve patient safety.
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Patient Engagement: Patients and their families are actively involved in patient safety initiatives, sharing their experiences, providing feedback, and advocating for safer healthcare practices.
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Policy Advocacy: Patient safety advocates and organizations engage with policymakers and regulators to advocate for stronger patient safety regulations, policies, and standards.
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Cultural Activities: Some hospitals and healthcare organizations organize cultural events, such as art exhibitions, music performances, or storytelling sessions, to raise awareness about patient safety in a creative and engaging way.
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Global Patient Safety Challenges: In addition to these activities, the World Health Organization (WHO) may launch specific patient safety challenges or campaigns to address specific patient safety concerns or promote particular patient safety practices.
