What is Patient Safety?

Patient Safety refers to Healthcare and relates to Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Healthcare Assistants and all other Multiple Disciplinary Group Members.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Patient Safety as:

http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/patient-safety/patient-safety

Patient safety

The simplest definition of patient safety is the prevention of errors and adverse effects to patients associated with health care. While health care has become more effective it has also become more complex, with greater use of new technologies, medicines and treatments. Health services treat older and sicker patients who often present with significant co-morbidities requiring more and more difficult decisions as to health care priorities. Increasing economic pressure on health systems often leads to overloaded health care environments.

Patient Safety is paramount and whether it is in a hospital or clinic setting, public or private it is extremely important that the patient feels safe and comes to no harm during any procedure or treatment. 

Patients for Patient Safety Ireland (PFPSI)

Anyone who knows me knows that I am extremely passionate about Patient Safety and so, I was delighted to have been invited to join Patients for Patient Safety Ireland (PFPSI) following my personal experience of Wrong Site Surgery in 2007.

Patients for Patient Safety (PFPS) is a World Health Organistation (WHO) initiative aimed at improving Patient Safety in Health Care. Networks of PFPS have been set up in a number of countries around the world. The purpose of setting up a network of PFPS is to promote understanding and dialogue around Patient Safety and the role patients can play in developing new tools useful in Patient Safety. PFPS aim to foster and build collaboration and links between patients and staff on the range of Patient Safety efforts at Regional and Local levels, so that the lessons can be shared and partnerships created.

The establishment of PFPS network in Ireland was led by Ms. Margaret Murphy and the Steering group is facilitated by the HSE Advocacy Unit with the support and endorsement of Dr. Philip Crowley, National Director of Quality and Patient Safety.