World Patient Safety Day [WHO]

On September 17, World Patient Safety Day is commemorated to raise awareness about global patient safety. Patient safety measures in global public health are at the highest level of global patient safety. Working in stressful environments increases health worker safety risks, such as becoming infected and contributing to outbreaks in the facility, having limited access to or adherence to personal protective equipment and other infection prevention and control measures, and inducing errors that can harm patients and health workers.

A hospital is a location where sick people are treated, and there is constantly a line of people waiting to be admitted. Indeed, the patient’s problem might occasionally be so serious that the patient’s life is endangered. The Patient Safety Department’s job is to ensure that the patient and the service are safe from security risks.

The World Health Organisation estimates that hospital services affect one out of ten patients in wealthy countries. A mistake or an unfortunate incident frequently causes this damage. In many cases, technological advancements have resulted in the implementation of complicated healthcare systems. This problem also causes many healthcare providers to have misconceptions about vaccinations, which must be gradually overcome. Although many patients receive proper and suitable care, it is important to watch misconceptions.

Concerns About Patient Safety

Misdiagnosis of an unanticipated delay in diagnosis are examples of diagnostic errors. When a patient is being transferred to and from the hospital, these dangers are frequently seen. Taking the wrong medication might cause major harm to the patient.
If surgery is performed in the incorrect part of the body, on many occasions, the surgery that occurred in the patient’s body has been in a different part of the body than where the surgery was needed, resulting in serious injury to the patient. The patient’s life could be jeopardized if the health worker sends the patient or the patient’s family the wrong message.

What Can You Do To Ensure Your Safety?

Assist hospital professionals in verifying any other personal details, such as allergies. If you’re still unsure, re-ask the questions. Check the diagnostic again if you’re not convinced. If you’re not sure, start over. Ask the doctor if you have any queries regarding any medical procedures you’ve been prescribed. Make sure you’re aware of any treatment’s adverse effects.
Hand hygiene rules: Before and after caring for patients, thoroughly wash hands with soap or sanitizer.

• Before contacting the patient or putting on gloves while in direct contact with them.
• Wearing face and eye protection during surgery is recommended.
• Usage unused disposable needles and throw them away after each use.
• Before and after each patient, clean and disinfect reusable materials. Biomedical waste should be disposed of properly.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief when sneezing or coughing.

2021 is the International Day for the Protection of Patients:

• No one should be injured in healthcare on World Patient Protection Day 2021. Thousands of patients are in danger of unavoidable loss or injury every day while obtaining medical care worldwide.
• Increase global knowledge of maternal and infant safety issues, particularly during childbirth. Improve maternal and infant safety by engaging different stakeholders and implementing effective and innovative initiatives.
• To reduce unnecessary risks and injury to all women and newborns during childbirth, advocate for adopting best practices at the point of care. All stakeholders must take immediate and long-term action to scale up efforts, reach the unreached, and ensure safe maternal and newborn care, especially during childbirth.
• The WHO planned a combination of virtual and other activities to commemorate and celebrate World Patient Safety Day in 2021 September, despite the ongoing problems of the COVID-19 pandemic.

World Patient Safety Day 2020’s Goals are as follows:

Raise global understanding of the importance of healthcare worker safety and its connections to patient safety. Improve the safety of health workers and patients by involving many stakeholders and implementing multimodal techniques. All stakeholders must take immediate and long-term efforts to identify and invest in the safety of healthcare workers as a top priority for patient safety. Recognize the dedication and hard work of health workers, especially in light of the current COVID-19 battle.

Quotes for World Patient Safety Day

“Speak up for health worker safety!” The WHO urges all parties.