Every year on 17 September, the world unites for World Patient Safety Day, an occasion that shines a spotlight on the importance of patient safety, galvanizes action, and inspires collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and communities. In 2025, the theme “Safe care for every newborn and every child” calls for urgent attention to the unique vulnerabilities and needs of the youngest among us—urging a global commitment to ensuring that every newborn and child receives the highest standard of safe, compassionate healthcare from their first moments onward.
The Significance of World Patient Safety Day
World Patient Safety Day, established by the World Health Organization (WHO), was first recognized in 2019 with the aim to raise global awareness about patient safety and the imperative to prevent avoidable harm in healthcare. Since its inception, the day has sparked important dialogue around the world, bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders to advance patient safety as a fundamental component of health systems.
Patient safety is the cornerstone of quality healthcare. Each year, millions of patients worldwide suffer injury or death due to unsafe medical practices, medication errors, infections, and gaps in care. These incidents are often preventable, underscoring the need for robust safety systems, effective communication, empowered patients, and a culture of continuous learning and improvement in healthcare.
Why Focus on Newborns and Children in 2025?
Children—especially newborns—are among the most vulnerable populations when it comes to patient safety. Their bodies and immune systems are still developing, making them particularly susceptible to infections, complications from medical interventions, and adverse events. The global burden of unsafe care in pediatric and neonatal settings is significant, with preventable harm leading to unnecessary suffering, lifelong disabilities, or loss of life.
Key factors that heighten the risk of harm for newborns and children include:
- Fragility of neonatal and pediatric patients: Newborns, especially those born prematurely or with health complications, require highly specialized care and attentive monitoring.
- Complex medication needs: Children require precise medication dosing based on weight and age, increasing the risk of calculation and administration errors.
- Communication barriers: Young patients cannot always articulate their symptoms, making it essential for caregivers and professionals to be vigilant.
- Family involvement: Safe care for children often relies on effective partnership between health professionals and families, who are advocates for their loved ones.
- Resource disparities: Access to safe, quality pediatric care remains uneven across regions, with low- and middle-income countries facing particular challenges.
According to the WHO, nearly 2.5 million children die each year within their first month of life, and many of these deaths could be prevented through safe, quality care interventions. In addition, a significant number of children experience harm in hospital or outpatient settings due to errors, infections, or substandard practices.
The 2025 Campaign: Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child
The 2025 theme emphasizes a universal right: every child, regardless of where they are born or their circumstances, deserves to receive safe, respectful, and effective care. The campaign seeks to:
- Raise awareness about the specific risks facing newborns and children in healthcare settings.
- Promote proven strategies and interventions to reduce preventable harm and improve outcomes.
- Empower families to advocate for the safety of their children and participate actively in care decisions.
- Support healthcare workers with training, resources, and systems that facilitate safe pediatric and neonatal care.
- Encourage governments and health organizations to invest in robust safety policies, infrastructure, and quality improvement initiatives.
Key Challenges in Achieving Safe Care
Despite advances in medicine and technology, multiple challenges impede the realization of safe care for all children:
- Workforce shortages: Many regions face insufficient numbers of trained neonatal and pediatric healthcare providers, leading to overwhelmed staff and increased risk of errors.
- Lack of standardized protocols: Inconsistent or outdated clinical guidelines can result in variable care quality.
- Limited resources: Equipment, medicines, and infection prevention tools may be in short supply, particularly in under-resourced settings.
- Data gaps: Many countries lack robust systems for tracking safety incidents and learning from errors, hindering progress.
- Stigma and blame culture: Fear of repercussions can prevent health workers from reporting mistakes, stalling opportunities for improvement.
Proven Strategies for Safer Pediatric and Neonatal Care
There is clear evidence that targeted interventions can dramatically improve safety for newborns and children. These include:
- Standardized hand hygiene protocols to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
- Use of checklists and safety bundles for high-risk procedures, such as childbirth and neonatal resuscitation.
- Accurate, weight-based medication dosing systems and double-check processes to avoid medication errors.
- Family-centered care models that recognize parents as key partners in monitoring and safeguarding their child’s health.
- Continuous education and simulation training for healthcare workers to maintain skills and readiness for emergencies.
- Establishment of safe reporting systems where errors and near misses can be shared openly and used as learning opportunities.
The Role of Families and Communities
Children’s safety in healthcare is not the sole responsibility of professionals; families and communities have a vital role to play. World Patient Safety Day 2025 urges:
- Empowering parents and guardians to ask questions, voice concerns, and participate in care decisions.
- Promoting health literacy so that families understand the signs of illness and when to seek care.
- Building supportive networks that can help families navigate healthcare systems and advocate for their children.
In many countries, family presence has been shown to reduce errors and improve outcomes, especially for children with complex medical needs.
Global Actions and Success Stories
Across the globe, countries and organizations are pioneering initiatives to make care safer for the youngest patients. Examples include:
- The implementation of “kangaroo mother care” for preterm infants, which reduces infection and improves survival through skin-to-skin contact.
- Introduction of digital records and barcode scanning in medication administration, minimizing errors and streamlining care.
- Training campaigns for healthcare workers in neonatal resuscitation, leading to better emergency preparedness and outcomes.
- Community-based programs that educate parents on safe sleep practices, reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rates.
These successes demonstrate that, with the right focus and resources, meaningful progress is possible—even in challenging environments.
Building a Safer Future
World Patient Safety Day 2025 challenges all stakeholders to renew their commitment to safe, quality care for every newborn and every child. This includes:
- Policymakers: Enacting laws and regulations that prioritize patient safety and allocate funding for pediatric and neonatal health.
- Health leaders: Investing in staff training, technology, and safety culture.
- Frontline workers: Embracing best practices, reporting incidents, and fostering open communication.
- Families: Staying informed, engaged, and proactive in their children’s care.
- Communities: Supporting vulnerable families, spreading awareness, and advocating for safer care systems.
REFERENCES
- WHO, World Patient Safety Day, 17 September 2025: “Safe care for every newborn and every child”, https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2025/09/17/default-calendar/world-patient-safety-day–17-september-2025–patient-safety-from-the-start
- Theme of World Patient Safety Day 2025 announced, 18th March 2025 ,https://www.patientsafetylearning.org/blog/theme-of-world-patient-safety-day-2025-announced
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