This year’s theme is Medication Safety: Medication Without Harm
In May 2019, all 194 World Health Organization Member States endorsed the establishment of World Patient Safety Day to be marked annually on September 17. World Patient Safety Day is one of WHO’s global public health days. It was established to enhance global understanding of patient safety, increase public engagement in the safety of health-care, and promote global actions to enhance patient safety and reduce patient harm. Unsafe medication practices and medication errors are the leading cause of avoidable harm in health-care across the world. Globally, the cost associated with medication errors has been estimated at USD 42 billion annually.
The World Health Organization’s call to action for Medication Safety is Know. Check. Act.
For patients and caregivers: before you give or take medication; KNOW your medication, CHECK to ensure you have the correct dose and time, and ASK your health professional if you have questions regarding your medication. As a patient and caregiver, actively engaging in medical treatments and medications, helps achieve the goal of Medication Without Harm.
For Health providers: before you give it; KNOW your medication, CHECK you have the right patient, medicine, route, dose and time, ASK your patient if they understand. As a Health provider, following the call to action will promote high standards of medication management and thereby reduces the risks that lead to medication errors and medication-related harm.
The Government of Manitoba has issued a proclamation in recognition of World Patient Safety Day.
Participate in World Patient Safety Day Activities
The World Health Organization and Healthcare Excellence Canada have information and resources related to World Patient Safety Day on their websites including opportunities to participate. Here are some of the noteworthy activities:
- Access and share theWorld Health Organization World Patient Safety Day information and resources here.
- Join the World Patient Safety Day 2022 Global Virtual Event “Medication Without Harm”, on Thursday, September 15, 2022, 07:00 – 10:30 a.m. CST. Register here.
- Join a Webinar: Healthcare Excellence Canada’s Spotlight Series Webinar: Safe to say: Learning from patient safety incidents to create safer care for everyone involved, on Thursday, September 15, 2022, 11:00-12:00p.m CST Register here.
- View and read the Safe-to-Say BLOG on the Healthcare Excellence Canada website here.
- Participate on Social media: Healthcare Excellence Canada suggests sharing World Patient Safety Day messages on social media channels with the goal of getting #PatientSafety, #WorldPatientSafetyDay and trending around across Canada!
The World Patient Safety Day campaign is led by the World Health Organization.
