World Patient Safety Day

World Patient Safety Day is dedicated to creating a safe environment for patients. Modern medicine is developing rapidly: new therapeutic methods, equipment, and medications are emerging. Doctors must use all of these correctly to prevent harm to patients. The holiday is observed on September 17th.

History

World Patient Safety Day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. Patient safety is a critical element in the modern healthcare system. A lack of proper training for medical staff and a gap between their skills and the current standards of medicine can have a negative impact on patients.

According to statistics, in low- and middle-income countries, there have been more than 134 million cases of patient harm due to medical errors. In highly developed countries, the statistics are somewhat better: about 10% of all people who visit a medical institution experience poor-quality treatment.

There are two main ways to organize safer medical care for patients. The first is to promptly train staff to use new equipment and technologies. The second is to engage patients in improving the quality of medical care by gathering feedback and implementing changes.

How to Take Part

During World Patient Safety Day, you can:

• Attend events held at medical institutions, listen to lectures, participate in seminars, and offer your ideas to improve patient safety;
• congratulate friends and acquaintances who work in the medical field on this important day;
• share a post on social media highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment in patient care.

When is World Patient Safety Day in 2025?

World Patient Safety Day is observed on September 17 each year.

Observations