WHO announced 10 patient safety rights for healthcare.
One in every 10 patients experience harm in healthcare, and about 50% of harms are preventable, according to an April 18 news release from WHO. The Patient Safety Rights Charter is the first to outline patients' rights in the context of safety.
"The Charter will provide healthcare workers, healthcare leaders and governments with the tools to build patient-centered healthcare systems, improving patient safety and reducing the risk of harm," the release said. Furthermore, it will supply patients "with language to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings," and facilitate collaboration among all involved parties.
The charter covers 10 patient safety rights to mitigate risk and prevent inadvertent harm:
- Timely, effective and appropriate care
- Safe healthcare processes and practices
- Qualified and competent health workers
- Safe medical products and their safe and rational use
- Safe and secure health care facilities
- Dignity, respect, nondiscrimination, privacy and confidentiality
- Information, education and supported decision making
- Access medical records
- To be heard and fair resolution
- Patient and family engagement