Patient safety

Patient Safety Research

Eastern Mediterranean and African Adverse Events Study
Unsafe care is responsible for an enormous human toll everywhere. New research from the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa suggests that approximately 8% hospital admissions in 26 hospitals showed at least one adverse event that caused harm to patients. Of these, the majority were judged to be preventable and about 30% were associated with the death of patients. The study suggests areas for improvement, particularly in the training and supervision of staff and availability and implementation of protocols and policies. Healthcare institutions that look at their patient safety problems aiming to understand and improve them, are giving gigantic steps towards safer care.

Evidence of unsafe care

Findings from the Latin American Study of Adverse Events (IBEAS) are a reflection of the reality of many other hospitals in transitional countries across the globe: on a given day, 1 in 10 patients admitted to the participating hospitals were suffering from, or undergoing treatment for, a health care -related adverse event. The risk of suffering adverse events doubled if the entire hospital stay was considered. This evidence highlights the importance of addressing patient safety globally.

Global priority areas for patient safety research

Patient safety is a global issue affecting countries at all levels of development. Understanding the magnitude of the problem and the main contributing factors is essential in order to devising appropriate solutions. WHO Patient Safety has identified the global priority areas where there are substantial knowledge gaps exist and where further knowledge would significantly contribute to improving patient safety and reducing harm.

Reducing bloodstream infections

Source: Módulo de Formación

Central venous catheters are life-saving and the majority of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) have them placed in order to receive medicine and fluids. However, the use of these can result in serious bloodstream infections. Bloodstream infections associated with the insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters (CVC) are among the most dangerous complications that can occur. These complications worsen patients’ health, prolong hospital stay and increase the cost of care.

Reports

Patient Safety Research Areas of Work

Evidence of unsafe care in developing and transitional countries

Findings from the Latin American Study of Adverse Events (IBEAS) and the Eastern Mediterranean /African Adverse Events Study highlight the magnitude of unsafe care in developing countries.

Strengthening capacity for patient safety research

Emphasis on strengthening for patient safety research and improvement through training and education.

Methods, measures and tools

Methods, measures and tools to advance research around patient safety issues and to respond to new and unmet research questions.

WHO Patient Safety Research Small Grants

Set up to stimulate research on patient safety priority areas by providing seed funding for small research projects.

About us

Other areas of work

  • Reporting & Learning
    WHO Draft Guidelines for Adverse Event Reporting and Learning Systems to improve the safety of patient care.

Contact us

To contact the research team, please email psresearch@who.int