Theme 2025: “Safe care for every newborn and every child” | Symbol: Orange ribbon
I. Overview:
World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) is observed annually on September 17 to raise global awareness about patient safety and call for solidarity and united action by all countries and international partners to reduce patient harm. Established in 2019 by the WHO through resolution WHA 72.6 – “Global action on patient safety,” this day emphasizes the importance of safe healthcare practices across all settings.
II. Significance of the theme 2025:
The 2025 theme, “Safe care for every newborn and every child”, outlines the heightened vulnerability of newborns and children to patient safety risks. Existing Literature suggest that adverse events occur across all care settings, with higher risks among critically ill children, particularly those in intensive care or requiring complex medical interventions.
III. What is Patient Safety ?
Patient safety refers to the prevention of errors and adverse effects to patients associated with healthcare. It involves creating a culture of safety in healthcare settings, ensuring that systems and processes are in place to minimize risks and harm to patients. This includes practices like safe childbirth, medication safety, infection prevention, and early recognition of clinical deterioration.
IV. Quick Facts about Patient Safety : 💡
- Hospitalization leads to 134 million adverse events annually, resulting in 2.6 million deaths in LMICs.
- Newborns and children are particularly vulnerable to patient safety risks, with higher rates of adverse events in intensive care settings.
- Patient safety incidents contribute to significant healthcare costs due to extended hospital stays, additional treatments, and legal expenses.
- Studies indicate that a significant proportion of patient safety incidents are preventable with proper systems and protocols in place.
- The WHO’s Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030 outlines strategies to improve patient safety worldwide, including strengthening health systems and engaging patients and families in safety efforts.
V. A Brief History of World Patient Safety Day :
2019: WPSD was established by the WHO to raise awareness about patient safety and promote global action to reduce patient harm.
2020: The theme focused on the interrelationship between health worker safety and patient safety, emphasizing the need for a safe working environment for health workers as a prerequisite for ensuring patient safety.
2021: The theme highlighted safe and respectful maternal and newborn care, aiming to improve safety during childbirth and postnatal care.
2022: The focus was on medication safety, addressing issues like high-risk situations, transitions of care, and polypharmacy to ensure medication safety in health systems.
2023: The theme emphasized engaging patients for patient safety, promoting active involvement of patients, families, and caregivers in healthcare safety efforts.
2024: The focus was on improving diagnosis for patient safety, highlighting the critical importance of correct and timely diagnosis in ensuring patient safety and improving health outcomes.
2025: The theme is “Safe care for every newborn and every child,” emphasizing the need for stronger measures to protect children from preventable harm in healthcare settings.
VI. How to Observe World Patient Safety Day ? :
- Participate in Awareness Campaigns: Join local or virtual events to raise awareness about patient safety.
- Engage in Educational Activities: Attend seminars, workshops, or webinars focused on patient safety practices.
- Promote Safe Practices: Encourage the adoption of safety protocols in healthcare settings, such as hand hygiene and safe medication practices.
- Support Affected Families: Offer assistance and support to families affected by patient safety incidents.
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Engage with policymakers to promote legislation that enhances patient safety standards.
- Use Social Media: Share information and resources about patient safety using hashtags like #WPSD2025 and #PatientSafetyFromTheStart.
🔗 References:
- https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/
Disclaimer: We link to external websites for informational purposes only, but we do not endorse or guarantee their accuracy. Once you leave our site, you will be subject to the new website’s privacy policy.