On 17th September 2022, Ireland joins countries around the globe in celebrating World Patient Safety Day.
What is World Patient Safety Day?
World Patient Safety Day focuses on raising awareness and ensuring that patient safety is recognised as an international health priority. It is led by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
What is the Theme for this year?
The theme for this year’s World Patient Safety Day is ‘Medication Without Harm’. This is the focus of the current WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge and a key priority for the HSE National Medication Safety Programme.
Medication harm accounts for 50% of the overall preventable harm in medical care (WHO, 2022).
Reducing medication-related harm is a priority in the HSE Patient Safety Strategy 2019-2024 and a key focus for the National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate.
On 17th September, the Department of Health issued a press release marking World Patient Safety Day 2022 which includes a quote from the National Clinical Director for the Quality & Patient Safety Directorate, Dr Orla Healy.
National QPS Initiatives to Promote World Patient Safety Day
In observance of World Patient Safety Day 2022, the National QPS Directorate is developing a range of awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives through webinars, podcasts, targeted communications, media campaigns and informational videos. These include:
Local / Regional Initiatives to Promote World Patient Safety Day
How Can I Promote World Patient Safety Day?
We encourage everyone working in healthcare to consider what they can do to mark World Patient Safety day 2022. We would be delighted to help promote your event on our website and through social media channels.
If you are organising an event to promote World Patient Safety Day in your local health service, please share your plans with our Patient Safety Programme Team by:
- Emailing NQPS@hse.ie with details.
- Tag @NationalQPS on twitter with the hashtags #QIreland #WorldPatientSafetyDay
The following free resources may help you facilitate sharing the messages in your place of work:
- The ‘Know Check Ask’ campaign aims to reduce medication-related harm through better understanding of medication and communication about it. We also have printed supplies of My Medicines Lists (A4 folded) as well as Know Check Ask and 5 Moments for Medication Safety posters (A3 posters). If you require these materials, please complete our online form and we will have these posted to you.
Connect with Us
For the latest updates on World Patient Safety Day events coordinated by the National QPS Directorate, follow us on Twitter @NationalQPS.