World Patient Safety Day is September 17

Focusing on why patient safety matters

September 16, 2022

For World Patient Safety Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is focusing on reducing patient harm due to medication errors and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on medication safety. 

Unsafe medication practices and medication errors are a leading cause of avoidable harm in health care. Medication errors occur when weak medication systems and human factors such as fatigue, poor environmental conditions, or staff shortages affect the safety of the medication use process.

This can result in severe patient harm, disability and even death. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated the risk of medication errors and associated medication-related harm. This year’s World Patient Safety Day focuses on medication safety and carries the slogan “Medication Without Harm.”

Objectives of World Patient Safety Day 2022:

• Raise global awareness of the high burden of medication-related harm due to medication errors and unsafe practices, and advocate urgent action to improve medication safety
• Engage stakeholders and partners in the efforts to prevent medication errors and reduce medication-related harm
• Empower patients and families to be actively involved in the safe use of medication
• Scale up implementation of the WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication Without Harm

WHO is organizing a series of webinars on medication safety and is producing a number of medication safety solutions and technical products during 2022. On and around September 17, 2022, WHO will organize a wide range of activities and host a global virtual event.

Hospitals are invited to participate in the global campaign by pledging to implement the WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge: Medication without Harm, organizing activities, and lighting up iconic monuments in orange in support of medication safety.

HAP’s Quality Initiatives Leadership Team works with hospitals every day on initiatives to keep patients safe from harm. Our project managers have experience in a variety of hospital-acquired conditions projects, and are available to assist your organization in your commitment to providing Pennsylvania consumers with safe, high-quality, patient-centric care.