World Patient Safety Day (September 17)

Observed annually by all member states of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Patient Safety Day (September 17) aims to raise global awareness about patient safety. The day aims to influence stakeholders, including patients, families, health workers, healthcare leaders, policy makers and patient organizations, to work collaboratively towards co-designing health care policies and safety interventions that truly reflect the needs and preferences of patients, ultimately enhancing healthcare safety globally.

World Patient Safety Day is dedicated to the theme “Engaging Patients for Patient Safety” as patient and family engagement is a pivotal strategy to advance safety in healthcare. The impact of meaningful patient engagement is remarkable, with studies showing a potential reduction in the burden of harm by up to 15%, saving countless lives and billions of dollars each year. Safe health care depends on the full involvement of patients and families as the users of the health care system, and it requires a shift from care designed for patients to care designed with patients.

Here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), we recognize and involve patients and their care partners as members of the health care team because we understand that they are the experts about the patient and are vital in ensuring optimal health and well-being. As a result of Patient and Family Centre Care initiatives, TBRHSC was the first organization in Canada to earn the “Patient and Family Care Leading Practice designation from Accreditation Canada!

Learn more about World Patient Safety Day.