Time to step up patient safety

About one in ten persons admitted to hospitals in the EU suffers harm from the healthcare he or she receives. One in twenty catches a healthcare-associated infection. As many as 37 000 deaths are caused every year as a result of such a contagion. The recommendation adopted by EU health ministers on 9 June is aimed at improving patient safety.

© Fotolia, James Steidl

• Establishing or strengthening reporting and learning systems

• Embedding patient safety in the education and training of all healthcare workers

• I nvolving patients in the development of safety measures

• Providing patients with information on health risks and safety issues

• Sharing expertise and best practice between member states and with relevant international bodies.

The most common adverse events are healthcare-associated infections, complications during or after surgical interventions, medication-related errors such as giving the wrong medicine or dose, and incorrect or delayed diagnoses. The primary aim is to tackle systemic and organisational failures. These, rather than the negligence of staff, are responsible for most adverse events. Much of the harm to patients is preventable. At the level of healthcare institutions, methods as simple as training in basic principles of hygiene and infection prevention and control form a good starting point for improving patient safety.

More information:
Council Recommendation on patient safety (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference