Patient safety

Education & Training

Since 2004, WHO Patient Safety has developed a range of training materials and tools to help individuals and organizations improve their understanding and knowledge of patient safety. Details on all of these are available below.

A doctor and nurse examine patient notes

Multi-professional Patient Safety Curriculum Guide
The comprehensive Multi-professional Patient Safety Curriculum Guide assists universities and schools in the fields of dentistry, medicine, midwifery, nursing and pharmacy to teach patient safety.

Educational instruction

Training leaders in Patient Safety Research
The Core Competencies for Patient Safety Research provide a framework for the ongoing education and training of patient safety researchers worldwide.

Educational instruction

Learning from Error - workshop materials
Booklet and video in 6 languages explores how multiple weaknesses present within the health-care system can lead to error and helps you gain an insight into the underlying causes of such events.

Radiotherapy session

Radiotherapy risk profile
pdf, 686kb
There have been increasing reports of harm to patients caused by radiotherapy worldwide over recent years. This resource sets out where in the process harm occurs and identifies standardised safety interventions that could reduce harm to patients receiving radiotherapy.

A nurse using handrub

Training materials in infection control
Resources and tools on the importance of hand hygiene, the "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" approach and the correct procedures for handrubbing and handwashing.

Surgical procedure

WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Manual
Resources to help health-care professionals improve the safety of surgical care for their patients by ensuring adherence to proven standards of care.

Introductory Course of Patient Safety
A free on-line course is available to introduce the basic elements of patient safety research.

About us

WHO Patient Safety

Highlights

Focus on patient safety for medical students
WHO Patient Safety Curriculum featured in BMJ news article.

Case studies in patient safety research
Examples of patient safety research in five key areas to stimulate debate and new thinking.

Documents and reports