Adverse events dangerous but preventable

In the last decades the progress of scientific knowledge and technologies created very complex healthcare systems, which can deliver diagnostic and treatment services at high standards for millions of people. Unfortunately, together with the positive effects, the high complexity of the organization and functioning of healthcare organizations brings also high risks for patient safety, due to the occurrence of adverse events. These events can physically and psychologically harm or even kill the patient. It is considered that one of 10 patients is harmed by such an event during the medical care. The medical staff is also affected by the moral, administrative and judicial consequences. Therefore, all the countries are making efforts to improve patient safety. The studies have shown that the majority of adverse events are preventable, so that there is a need to develop and apply specific instruments for error prevention and harm reduction. Patient safety becomes a discipline with a specific body of knowledge and expertise. This article presents some of the main concepts and best practice models in patient safety, in order to improve the awareness of the decision makers and health professionals for patient safety in Romania.