Historic Patient Safety Charter Spotlights Global Advocacy for Patient Safety
Patients in peril
Patient safety is vital in healthcare, aiming to prevent patients from experiencing unnecessary harm throughout their treatment journey. Medical errors can occur at various stages, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, particularly in today’s increasingly complex healthcare landscape. Globally, adverse events affect around 10% of hospital patients, with studies indicating that 5-21% of these events result in death, half of which are preventable.
According to the Regional Strategy for Patient Safety in the WHO South-East Asia Region (2016–2025)
report, adverse events arise from several factors, including unsafe clinical practices such as surgery, hand hygiene, and medication errors, as well as communication failures and ineffective teamwork. Additionally, organizational cultures lacking safety mechanisms and accountability contribute to patient harm.
Improving patient safety necessitates a comprehensive approach, encompassing performance improvement, environmental safety, risk management, infection control, medication safety, and creating a culture of safety within healthcare organizations.
Global HAI persisting, preventable
The report presented a variety of data, underscoring the urgent need for stronger policies to ensure patient safety. Citing WHO estimates, the report indicated that approximately 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from healthcare-associated infections (HAI) at any given time, with at least 50% of these infections being preventable. A recent study examining the burden of unsafe care revealed that globally there are an estimated 421 million hospitalizations annually, resulting in about 42.7 million adverse events across seven categories. These events include adverse drug reactions, catheter-related infections, nosocomial pneumonia, and others, collectively leading to the loss of 23 million disability-adjusted life years per year.
Furthermore, around two-thirds of these adverse events and the associated loss of disability-adjusted life years occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Unsafe devices, substandard medicines
The report highlighted that about 1.3 million deaths per year occur due to unsafe injections, primarily caused by diseases like HBV, HCV, and HIV. In the developing world, individuals receive an average of 1.5 injections annually, with 50% deemed ‘unsafe’. Unsafe practices include the reuse of syringes and needles without proper sterilization and inadequate collection and disposal of contaminated injection equipment, posing risks to healthcare workers and communities.
It cited a study by the India Clinical Epidemiology Network (IndiaCLEN) that the average person in India receives 5.8 injections annually, with nearly two-thirds administered unsafely (62.9%).
In developing regions, at least half of medical equipment is either unusable or only partly functional, resulting in substandard diagnosis and treatment. Despite being a major exporter of medical devices globally, South-East Asia often manufactures devices for the domestic market outside regulatory frameworks, potentially compromising international standards.
Southeast Asian countries generate over 1000 metric tons of healthcare waste daily, including improperly disposed injection-related waste. In some areas, unsafe disposal practices lead to the resale of used equipment on the black market.
Moreover, developing countries account for 77% of reported cases of counterfeit and substandard drugs. Compounding this issue, more than half of all medicines prescribed, dispensed, or sold worldwide lack justification.
“Do no harm”
The prevalence of patient harm in healthcare settings underscores the urgency of bolstering patient safety measures. Alarmingly, one in every ten patients experiences harm during healthcare encounters, with approximately 50% of such harm deemed preventable.
From avoidable errors like unsafe surgical procedures and medication mishaps to late or misdiagnoses, patient safety lapses can precipitate dire consequences. Moreover, patient harm transcends national boundaries, afflicting countries across all income brackets and healthcare tiers.
Recognizing the need for systemic action, the World Health Assembly has identified improving patient safety as a global priority, with the adoption of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030.
The Patient Safety Rights Charter is poised to empower healthcare workers, leaders, and governments with the tools necessary to cultivate patient-centered healthcare ecosystems. By equipping patients with the language to advocate for their rights and fostering collaborative partnerships between patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare systems, the Charter aims to usher in a new era of high-quality, safe healthcare for all.
The unveiling of the Charter coincides with the Sixth Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety, hosted by the Government of Chile. Ministers, healthcare leaders, and patient advocates convene to chart a course for implementing the Global Patient Safety Action Plan, surmounting challenges, and sustaining progress in patient safety policies and practices.
Patient Safety Rights charter launched at Global Summit
In a landmark move aimed at safeguarding patients worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled the first-ever Patient Safety Rights Charter during the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety held 17-18 April in Santiago, Chile, outlining patients’ safety rights and is poised to aid legislation, policies, and guidelines necessary to uphold patient safety on a global scale.
According to WHO, patient safety encompasses the systems, protocols, and cultures within healthcare that aim to ensure safety and reduce harm to patients. It is a fundamental right for everyone, irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status, as recognized by international human rights standards.
The 10 fundamental patient safety rights outlined in the Charter:
1. Right to timely, effective and appropriate care;
2. Right to safe health care processes and practices;
3. Right to qualified and competent health workers;
4. Right to safe medical products and their safe and rational use;
5. Right to safe and secure health care facilities;
6. Right to dignity, respect, non-discrimination, privacy and confidentiality;
7. Right to information, education and supported decision making
8. Right to access medical records;
9. Right to be heard and fair resolution;
10. Right to patient and family engagement.
Dr. Rudi Eggers, WHO Director of Integrated Health Services, emphasized the relation between patient safety and the foundational principle of healthcare: “Do no harm.” He emphasized that ensuring patient safety not only stands as a global imperative but also serves as a linchpin for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Neelam Dhingra, Head of WHO’s Patient Safety Flagship Unit, hailed the launch of the Charter as a tangible stride towards fostering a safer and more equitable world. She emphasized its role as a vital resource for integrating essential concepts such as patient and family engagement, equity, dignity, and access to information into healthcare systems globally.
As the international community rallies behind the Patient Safety Rights Charter, the global healthcare landscape stands poised for a transformative shift towards safer, more equitable patient care.
Philippines to host 2025 event
In a related development, the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) announced that the country will host the next Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety in 2025. DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa confirmed the selection of the Philippines as the host country, following a successful bid. The decision was formally accepted by the Philippines at the conclusion of the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety 2024 in Santiago, Chile.
The summit will focus on how Member States have developed, implemented, and sustained patient safety strategies within the framework of the Global Action Plan. It will also address emerging challenges and opportunities in patient safety, including the integration of information technologies and artificial intelligence in healthcare. Additionally, the summit will explore different countries’ experiences in fostering safety cultures, empowering patients and families, and ensuring safety in healthcare processes, particularly in scenarios of high uncertainty.
Sources: WHO /Sun Star
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