- Categories:
- Health
- Tags:
- AwarenessSafety
- Where:
- World
- Date change rule:
- Every September 17
- Holiday emoji:
- 🏥
International Patient Safety Day unites global efforts every September 17 to champion safer healthcare practices. This vital observance encourages patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to collaborate on reducing preventable harm. Join the movement to raise awareness, advocate for best practices, and ensure every patient receives safe, quality care.
Want to sponsor International Patient Safety Day? Learn how
Expected International Patient Safety Day Deals
International Patient Safety Day focuses on advocacy and awareness rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), The Joint Commission, and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) often lead campaigns, offering educational resources, webinars, and policy recommendations. Healthcare systems may host internal training or public forums on safety protocols. Look for donation drives supporting patient advocacy groups and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare quality. We will update this page with confirmed awareness campaigns and educational events as September 17 approaches.
Platform Guide for International Patient Safety Day
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #PatientSafety. Share insights on healthcare quality improvement.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #PatientSafety. Join conversations on global health initiatives and policy changes.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PatientSafety. Share patient stories and community resources for safer care.
International Patient Safety Day Hero
Lucian Leape
International Patient Safety Day timeline
Dr. Christian Bernard performed the first human heart transplant.
Willem Kolff invented the artificial kidney dialysis machine.
A team of doctors in New York successfully completed surgery on a patient in Strasbourg, France using high speed telecommunications.
A study, published in the journal "Health Affairs," found that “an environment in which [hospital] staff freely speak up if they see something that may negatively affect a patient has been tied to overwhelmingly positive outcomes.
International Patient Safety Day FAQs
When is International Patient Safety Day?
International Patient Safety Day 2026 falls on Thursday, September 17, uniting global efforts to prioritize patient well-being and promote safer healthcare environments.
How many people are affected by unsafe care globally?
The World Health Organization estimates that unsafe care leads to 2.6 million deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting a critical global challenge that demands urgent attention.
What are the main goals of International Patient Safety Day?
The day aims to raise global awareness of patient safety, encourage all stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to safe care, and promote actions to reduce preventable harm across all healthcare settings.
What is the theme for International Patient Safety Day?
While the 2026 theme is yet to be announced by the WHO, past themes have focused on critical areas like medication safety, maternal and newborn care, and healthcare worker safety, all vital components of patient well-being.
How to Observe International Patient Safety Day
Talk to you doctor
Doctor visits can be intimidating and doctors aren't always the best communicators. Maintain an open dialogue with your doctor about how you're feeling. This is one issue for which you can't talk too much.
Read the label
Errors in delivering and taking pharmaceuticals account for a significant portion of errors in patient safety. Make sure you read the labels on your medication to take the right dosage and don't be afraid to chat with your pharmacist about any questions related to your prescriptions.
Contribute to your own safety
Read up on best practices for maintaining good health and for ensuring your visit to the doctor or the hospital is as safe as possible. The World Health Organizations offers a host of resources on its website.
5 Ways To Increase Your Own Patient Safety
Allergies
Make sure anyone involved in providing medical care to you knows about your allergies.
Be prepared
Don't just show up at the doctor's office or hospital; think about what you want to know and learn ahead of time.
Get an advocate
Sometimes you're not thinking at your best when getting treatment. Identify a family member or friend who can be your advocate to those providing your care.
Do your own research
Doctors know a lot, but there's no harm in digging into the facts yourself about any conditions you might have.
Why International Patient Safety Day is Important
It's a substantial problem
According to the World Health Organization, patient harm worldwide causes as many deaths as tuberculosis, and one out of every 10 hospital patients is harmed in some way during a visit to the hospital.
It's expensive
Nearly 15 percent of all healthcare spending is wasted dealing with events caused by a lack of keeping patients safe. Staying focused on patient safety can reduce healthcare costs and make health care delivery more efficient.
Administrative errors are rampant
There's a lot of paperwork involved in providing health care. More than any other issue, administrative errors contribute to a lack of patient safety. International Patient Safety Day is a reminder not just to patients, but to health care administrators to keep patient safety top of mind.
International Patient Safety Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 17 | Thursday |
| 2027 | September 17 | Friday |
| 2028 | September 17 | Sunday |
| 2029 | September 17 | Monday |
| 2030 | September 17 | Tuesday |
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