17 September 2024
World Patient Safety Day is an official World Health Organization (WHO) public health campaign day, recognised on 17 September each year. It was established in 2019 to raise awareness of patient harm in healthcare settings – also known as adverse events. The WHO estimates harm from adverse events is one of the top 10 leading causes of death and disability worldwide.[1]
In Australia, a 2015-16 study found 1 in 20 hospital patients experience an adverse event.[2]
Examples include:
Word Patient Safety Day’s 2024 theme is Improving Diagnosis for Patient Safety. The International Society of Radiographers & Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) are running a free webinar in line with this theme, on Wednesday 18 September at 10pm AEST.
Senior lecturer in Medical Imaging, Johnathan Hewis, and Associate Professor in Diagnostic Radiography, James Harcus, will discuss how radiographers can keep patients safe by communicating abnormal X-ray findings.
Webinar registrations are now closed, as 500 people have registered. A link to a recording will be available on the ISRRT website following the event.
ASMIRT Director of Education and webinar host Steve Lacey says opening up the lines of communication with doctors is important for patient safety.
“Communicating abnormal X-ray findings can prevent a misdiagnosis, or a delay in diagnosis,” he says.
This is in line with messages from the World Health Organization, who have called reaching a diagnosis a team effort.
[1] World Health Organization, Patient Safety, https://www.who.int/health-topics/patient-safety#tab=tab_2
[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s Health 2018, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2018/contents/indicators-of-australias-health/adverse-events-treated-in-hospital
