EC Promote Patient Safety in Europe

Politics » BULGARIA IN EU | December 16, 2008, Tuesday // 00:00
EC Promote Patient Safety in Europe: EC Promote Patient Safety in Europe Each year in the EU, between 8% and 12% of patients admitted to hospitals suffer harm from the healthcare they receive, the EC say. File photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)

Each year in the EU, between 8% and 12% of patients admitted to hospitals suffer harm from the healthcare they receive, which has made the EC to adopt a proposal with specific actions that Member States could take to improve the safety of patients.

"Patient safety is the cornerstone of goodВ quality healthcare. I would like to see a Europe for patients where safety is paramount and citizens are confident and knowledgeable about the care they receive," Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, said.

The commission say the most common types of adverse events in healthcare are hospital infections, incorrect or delayed diagnoses, surgical errors, and medication related errors.

Most efforts to improve patient safety in the EU have so far focused on specific causes, as minimising the risk from medicinal products, medical devices or antimicrobial resistance. However, most adverse events are caused by a combination of factors which together result in harm to the patients, the EC say.

Member States are encouraged to put in place and improve strategies to prevent adverse events in all healthcare settings, as the primary focus is on addressing systemic and organisational failures responsible for most harm to patients.

Key recommendations for Member States include, establishing or strengthening reporting and learning systems; embedding patient safety in the education and training of healthcare workers; involving patients in the development of safety measures; and providing patients with relevant information on health risks and safety issues.

EU members are also encouraged to share best practice and expertise in this field.

The Commission say they are also to work with Member States to develop common definitions and indicators for patient safety.

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