March 10-16

Patient Safety Awareness Week

Join forces for Patient Safety Awareness Week and help forge a future where health care is always safe, reliable, and high-quality.

Type

Week

Introduction

Get ready to rally for a great cause because Patient Safety Awareness Week begins on March 10! This important weeklong observation was initiated by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to inspire and encourage improved safety and communication in the healthcare field. Healthcare has come a long way since its inception, and this week serves as a reminder of the progress we have made and the work that still needs to be done. By joining forces for Patient Safety Awareness Week, we can help forge a future where health care is always safe, reliable, and high-quality. Let's make the quality of healthcare even better for our future!

Patient Safety Awareness Week Timeline

1980s

Patient Safety Emerges

In the 1980s, concerns about patient safety began to rise amongst healthcare providers and authorities, leading to initiatives aimed at reducing medical errors.

1991

Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation was founded, marking the first medical specialty organization devoted to improving patient safety.

1999

Landmark IOM Report

The Institute of Medicine released "To Err is Human", a landmark report highlighting the high incidence of medical errors and calling for a national agenda for patient safety.

2002

Institute for Healthcare Improvement Founding

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) was founded, focusing on collaborations to improve healthcare systems, including patient safety efforts.

2004

Inaugural Patient Safety Awareness Week

The first official observance of Patient Safety Awareness Week began, as initiated by IHI, raising awareness about patient safety issues worldwide.

2018

WHO Global Patient Safety Challenge

The World Health Organization launched a global challenge to reduce severe avoidable medication-related harm by 50%, reinforcing the importance of patient safety measures.

How to Celebrate Patient Safety Awareness Week

1 Host a workshop

Initiate a workshop for healthcare professionals and caregivers. The workshop can include several speakers who will present various aspects of patient safety. It could also include demonstration of safety measures, personal experiences or case studies that discuss safety lapses and learnings.

2 Initiate an awareness campaign

Prepare and distribute brochures, posters, and fliers about patient safety in your community. Use statistics and real-life examples to highlight the importance of patient safety. Also, launch an online awareness campaign on social media.

3 Arrange a panel discussion

Invite patient safety experts to participate in a panel discussion at your hospital or institution. Ask them to share their perspective on various patient safety topics. This will generate intrigue and attract a wider audience.

4 Conduct safety drills

A safety drill is one of the most effective ways to prepare for emergencies. Organize safety drills at hospitals or care facilities to demonstrate what to do in case of a medical emergency. Practicing these procedures is an effective way to ensure everyone understands their role.

5 Organize a health fair

Health fairs are an excellent way to promote patient safety. These events may include activities such as free blood pressure checks, health education talks, and information booths. This is an excellent way to engage the general public and educate them on their role as healthcare recipients.

Why Patient Safety Awareness Week is Important

Enhances Patient Safety Knowledge

Patient Safety Awareness Week provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate and enhance awareness on the importance of patient safety. By participating in numerous workshops, panel discussions and safety drills, healthcare professionals and caregivers can further bolster their knowledge with the aim of providing the safest care possible for patients.

Promotes Better Healthcare Communication

Throughout this week, healthcare teams are encouraged to communicate and collaborate more effectively for the betterment of patient care. This increased communication helps to minimize errors, increase safety measures, and improve the overall quality of health care services provided to patients.

Involves and Educates the Community

Patient Safety Awareness Week is not only for healthcare professionals, but also for the wider community. Through organizing health fairs and initiating awareness campaigns, the public is educated on their role in healthcare safety and given the tools they need to be active members in their healthcare journey.