Making health care safe for every Indian, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• World Patient Safety Day is observed on September 17, highlighting the need to address patient harm in healthcare.
• Globally, 1 in 10 patients experience harm during hospitalization, rising to 4 in 10 in outpatient care.
• India's focus is on chronic conditions requiring long-term treatment, increasing the risk of safety lapses.
• The National Patient Safety Implementation Framework (2018–25) aims to improve patient safety through various measures.
• Less than 5% of Indian hospitals have full accreditation despite efforts by organizations like NABH.

Detailed Insights:

• Patient harm includes hospital-acquired infections, unsafe injection practices, prescription errors, delayed diagnoses, and preventable falls.
• Overburdened healthcare providers, staff attrition, and heavy patient loads contribute to unsafe care in India.
• Empowering patients to actively participate in their care and healthcare systems welcoming their participation is crucial.
• Families can enhance patient safety by asking questions, maintaining health records, and reporting adverse drug reactions.
• Civil society organizations like the Patient Safety & Access Initiative of India Foundation and Patients for Patient Safety Foundation are actively involved in improving patient safety.
• The WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan provides a framework for integrating safety into healthcare systems, including Patient Advisory Councils (PACs).
• India needs to renew focus, mobilize resources, and incorporate patient safety into education to achieve the goals of the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Patient Safety: Prevention of errors and adverse effects associated with health care.
• Accreditation: Official recognition that an organization has met specific standards.
• Adverse Drug Reaction: An unwanted or unexpected reaction to a medication.