News Release

ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Join Global Leaders in Celebrating World Patient Safety Day 2020

ECRI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving patient safety, and its affiliate, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), are proud to join leaders around the globe in supporting World Patient Safety Day on September 17, 2020.

This year’s theme is Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety. For ECRI and ISMP, two internationally respected safety organizations, this means recognizing the critical role that health providers and pharmacists play in ensuring the safety of patients across all care settings, especially now during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 1,800 health workers across 64 countries have died from COVID-19.

To honor and support health workers, ECRI launched a World Patient Safety Day website offering free and shareable content in four categories: COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment; Infection Prevention; Medication Safety; and Worker Safety, Health and Wellness. The site includes an I Speak Up for Health Workers video produced in conjunction with ECRI and ISMP staff located in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific.  

“Day in and day out, ECRI and our affiliate, ISMP, provide trusted, evidence-based resources to help healthcare leaders and clinicians provide safe, high-quality patient care,” says ECRI president and CEO Marcus Schabacker, MD, PhD. “On World Patient Safety Day 2020, we extend special thanks to all health workers for their brave and selfless care of COVID-19 patients. We are truly indebted to these healthcare heroes.”

An important part of ECRI’s mission involves testing and evaluating medical devices, including personal protective equipment, providing infection control, patient safety, and medication safety guidance, and delivering trusted evidence-based resources to help clinical and supply chain staff do their jobs effectively. In February 2020, ECRI launched a free COVID-19 Resource Center with essential information for the public and healthcare community.

ISMP serves as a vital force for preventing medication errors and driving change in medical practice and pharmaceutical products. They offered free newsletters on COVID-19 medication safety and an online resource center. ISMP is also participating in World Patient Safety Day recognition efforts with the International Medication Safety Network (IMSN) and the International Society of Pharmcovigilance (ISoP).  

For more information and resources to help improve patient and medication safety, visit www.ecri.org and www.ismp.org. Follow us on @ECRI_Org and @ISMP1 and tag related stories to #worldpatientsafetyday.

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