World Patient Safety Day takes place annually on September 17 to raise awareness and drive worldwide intervention for the safety of patients. The celebration encourages nations all around the world to give patient safety a top priority within the healthcare sector. Patient safety can be defined as ending preventable mistakes and harmful behaviors that patients experience in medical facilities. Healthcare systems have advanced over time, but they have also grown more complicated as a result of the introduction of new technologies, therapies, and medications. On the occasion of World Patient Safety Day 2024, Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao, a leading expert in cardiac care in India, emphasizes the critical importance of patient safety in healthcare.
Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao supports a patient-centered strategy that guarantees everyone receives care that is timely, safe, and effective. He emphasizes how healthcare providers can lower medical errors and improve treatment outcomes by implementing cutting-edge technologies and best practices. He promotes cooperation between medical staff, families, and patients to foster a culture of safety in which openness and communication are essential to raising the standard of care as a whole.
The Theme For World Patient Safety Day 2024
The Theme for World Patient Safety Day 2024 is “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety” with the slogan “Get it right, make it safe”.
History of World Patient Safety Day
Patient Safety highlights the importance of preventing or reducing the risks, errors, and avoidable harm suffered by healthcare patients. One of the 11 international health initiatives supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) is World Patient Safety Day. The growing complexity of the healthcare system and the rise in patient injuries brought on by mistakes and complacency gave rise to the concept of patient safety. Cases of patient harm brought on by negligence are among the top causes of mortality in patients around the world.
According to recent studies, over 134 million occurrences of patient damage after getting medical care are reported, most of which occur in low- to middle-income countries. This results in about 2.6 million fatalities annually. In contrast, just 10% of people in high-income countries experience new problems after receiving medical care. The World Health Assembly passed a resolution calling for international action on patient safety in May 2019, which led to the creation of World Patient Safety Day. The idea for the global campaign originated with the yearly Global Ministerial Summits on Patient Safety that have been held since 2016. It involved strong advocacy and commitment from major international stakeholders.
By implementing a variety of safe practices when providing care, healthcare professionals can increase patient safety. Healthcare providers can increase patient safety by implementing an array of safe care practices. It could be as simple as providing patients access to medical records and notes. Involving patients and their caregivers directly in the decision-making process throughout the provision of healthcare services is another beneficial strategy. They ought to be well aware of the diagnosis and treatment choices available to them.
World Patient Safety Day Timeline
- 1948 (The World Health Assembly is Founded): The World Health Assembly was founded as the highest policy-making organization for health on the globe.
- 2015 (The German Coalition): World Patient Safety Day is being campaigned for by the German Coalition for Patient Safety.
- 2016 (The Global Ministerial Summits): The first-ever Global Ministerial Summits on Patient Safety take place.
- 2019 (World Patient Safety Day is Created): The World Health Assembly created World Patient Safety Day).
How to Observe World Patient Safety Day
- Attend an Event: A range of events are planned by legislators, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to highlight the significance of patient safety. You can attend one of these webinars, seminars, or discussion forums to learn more and contribute.
- Light Up the Community: Orange lighting is used by cities all around the world to highlight regional landmarks. This symbolic deed honors the social contributions made by healthcare professionals.
- Share on Social Media : Spread the word about critical information on social media to demonstrate your support for patient safety. Use the hashtag #WorldPatientSafetyDay.
5 Important Facts About Patients
- One Too Many: According to the WHO, every year, more than a million people pass away during or soon after surgery.
- Unsafe Care: A million or more suffer each year as a result of inadequate medical care.
- One in 300: When seeking medical care, one in three people suffers injury.
- Saving Lives: Reducing stillbirths and newborn mortality can be accomplished through safe care delivered by qualified professionals in a nurturing environment.
- Patient Harm is a Major Issue: On the global disease burden ranking, patient harm comes in at number 14, roughly equal to that of tuberculosis or malaria.
Why World Patient Safety Day is Important
- It Improves Healthcare Delivery: The purpose of World Patient Safety Day is to raise public awareness of the risks associated with neglecting patient safety. Its goal is to create patient and community activities that ignite conversations about how to better provide healthcare.
- It Drives Governments to Act: Governments are motivated to take proactive measures to guarantee patient safety by this observation. By implementing strategies to manage the risks to patient health, they’re improving their safety greatly.
- It Encourages Collaboration: World Patient Safety Day events bring together local and international organizations, governments, and other stakeholders to create partnerships that aim to improve healthcare worldwide. The importance of this day can’t be understated.
FAQs
What is World Patient Safety Day?
The World Health Organization (WHO) established World Patient Safety Day as a global initiative to increase public awareness of the value of patient safety. It seeks to involve stakeholders, legislators, patients, and healthcare professionals in advancing safe healthcare practices to avert mistakes and patient injury.
What is the theme for World Patient Safety Day 2024?
The Theme for World Patient Safety Day 2024 is “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety”.
When is World Patient Safety Day celebrated?
World Patient Safety Day is observed annually on September 17. It was created in 2019 as a part of the World Health Assembly’s larger initiative to raise patient safety standards around the globe.
How can healthcare professionals promote patient safety?
By following established procedures, participating in ongoing education, encouraging candid communication with patients, utilizing technology to cut down on errors, and sustaining a safety-conscious culture inside healthcare facilities, healthcare staff can greatly enhance patient safety.
What are some common patient safety risks?
Common patient safety risks include surgical complications, medication errors, infections acquired in hospitals, diagnostic errors, and improper handoffs between healthcare teams.
