World Patient Safety Day 2023: Every year on September 17th, the world comes together to observe World Patient Safety Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of patient safety in healthcare systems across the globe. In 2023, World Patient Safety Day falls on a Sunday, providing a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life to reflect on the theme of the year, "Engaging patients for patient safety." This theme underscores the pivotal role that patients, their families, and caregivers play in ensuring the safety of healthcare processes and outcomes.
The Significance of Patient Engagement: Patient safety is not a solitary endeavor confined to the healthcare professionals alone. It is a collaborative effort that requires active participation from patients and their support networks. Research consistently demonstrates that when patients are treated as partners in their healthcare journey, significant improvements are witnessed in safety, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes. Engaging patients in their care not only enhances the quality of healthcare but also promotes a culture of trust and transparency.
Under the banner of "Elevate the voice of patients!: for World Patient Safety Day 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls upon all stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem to take concrete actions that promote patient engagement. This includes involving patients in policy formulation, ensuring their representation in governance structures, engaging them in the co-design of safety strategies, and encouraging them to actively participate in decisions about their healthcare. Achieving these goals necessitates providing diverse patients, families, and communities with platforms and opportunities to express their concerns, expectations, and preferences. This approach is essential to advance safety, patient-centered care, trustworthiness, and equity in healthcare.
The Role of Patient and Family Engagement in Global Healthcare: The integration of patient and family engagement into healthcare systems is not a novel concept. In fact, it is recognized as a cornerstone of efforts to eliminate avoidable harm in healthcare. This commitment to patient safety is prominently enshrined in Resolution WHA72.6 – "Global action on patient safety" and the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030. These documents outline strategies aimed at eradicating harm and ensuring that every individual who seeks medical care is treated with the utmost safety and respect.
World Patient Safety Day: A Global Endeavor: World Patient Safety Day is a significant event on the global healthcare calendar. Established in 2019 by the 72nd World Health Assembly through the adoption of Resolution WHA72.6 – "Global action on patient safety," its mission is to raise public awareness, foster global understanding, and inspire unified action among Member States to improve patient safety and reduce harm caused by healthcare interventions.
Objectives of World Patient Safety Day 2023: Raise Global Awareness: The day aims to bring global attention to the vital need for active engagement of patients, their families, and caregivers at all levels and in all settings of healthcare. This involvement is instrumental in enhancing patient safety.
Engage Stakeholders: Policymakers, healthcare leaders, healthcare professionals, patients' organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders are called upon to actively participate in initiatives that promote patient and family engagement in healthcare policies and practices.
Empower Patients: Patients and their families are encouraged to take an active role in their own healthcare. By doing so, they not only enhance their safety but also contribute to improving the overall safety of healthcare systems.
Advocate Urgent Action: World Patient Safety Day 2023 advocates for immediate and concerted action on patient and family engagement, aligned with the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030. All partners in healthcare are urged to take meaningful steps to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.
Working Together for Safer Healthcare: World Patient Safety Day 2023 presents an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and governments to come together and commit to the cause of safer healthcare. The global campaign for this day proposes a wide range of activities for all stakeholders. These activities include:
National Campaigns: Countries are encouraged to launch their own national campaigns to raise awareness about patient safety and the importance of patient engagement.
Policy Forums: Forums where policymakers and healthcare leaders can come together to discuss and formulate policies that prioritize patient safety and engagement.
Advocacy and Technical Events: Events that promote advocacy for patient safety and provide technical insights into how healthcare systems can be made safer for patients.
Capacity-building Initiatives: Training programs and initiatives aimed at building the capacity of healthcare professionals, patients, and their families to actively engage in healthcare processes.
Lighting Up Landmarks: Just as in previous years, iconic monuments, landmarks, and public places around the world will be illuminated in the color orange--the signature mark of the campaign. This visual symbol serves as a reminder of the global commitment to patient safety.
World Patient Safety Day 2023 serves as a poignant reminder that patient safety is a collective responsibility. It transcends the confines of hospitals and healthcare facilities and extends into the hearts and minds of patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. By actively engaging patients and their support networks, we can create a healthcare system that is not only safe but also patient-centered, trustworthy, and equitable. As we come together to observe this important day, let us "Elevate the voice of patients!" and work towards a future where every patient receives healthcare that is not only effective but also safe and compassionate.
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