HEALTH CORNER: Things to Know About “World Patient Safety Day”
By Lawal Dahiru Mamman,
A study titled, Documentation of Medical Errors in Nigeria: A Review, analysed seven electronic databases of studies on medical errors by healthcare practitioners in Nigerian hospitals. Its findings revealed a high prevalence of medical errors, ranging from 42.8% to 89.8%. This raises concerns about the safety of patients within the medical ecosystem.
Although this issue is not unique to Nigeria, studies like the one mentioned above have prompted the birthing of World Patient Safety Day, observed annually on September 17. The day focuses on promoting safer healthcare practices and minimizing patient harm.
With this year’s theme, “Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety”, and the slogan, “Get it right, make it safe!”, here are a few important things to know about World Patient Safety Day.
Brief History of the Event
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World Patient Safety Day was proclaimed in 2019 by the 72nd World Health Assembly through the adoption of resolution WHA72.6 – Global Action on Patient Safety. Since then, it has become one of the World Health Organization’s key global public health days.
Why is World Patient Safety Day Important?
The day unites patients, families, caregivers, communities, health workers, policymakers, and healthcare leaders in a shared commitment to patient safety. By working together, we can reduce patient harm and improve health outcomes.
Key Objectives
1. Raise global awareness of errors in diagnosis that contribute to patient harm.
2. Give prominence to diagnostic safety in patient safety policy and clinical practice.
3. Foster collaboration among policymakers, healthcare leaders, health workers, patient organizations, and other stakeholders.
4. Empower patients and families to actively engage with health workers and healthcare leaders to improve diagnostic processes.
