PRESS RELEASE “World Patient Safety Day”

At the 72nd General Assembly of the WHO, in order to recognize patient safety as a global health priority, it has been established that this year, on September 17th, will be declared the World Patient Safety Day.

The latest World Health Organization (WHO) report mentions that adverse events associated with healthcare are a global public health issue. Annually, there are about 134 million preventable injuries to patients during the healthcare offered in hospitals, and 4 out of 10 patients are treated in family doctors’ offices and outpatients, causing about 2.6 million deaths. All these unwanted events increase the costs of health services by over 15%.

Each year, on September 17, WHO will highlight the importance of patient safety in order to increase public awareness and involvement, increase global understanding and stimulate solidarity and global action.

The theme is „Patient safety: a global health priority” and the campaign slogan is „Speak up for  patient safety”.

The campaign aims to mobilize patients, healthcare workers, decision-makers, academics, researchers, professional associations and the healthcare industry to talk about the importance of patient safety.

More information: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day/2019