Networking Break

Quality of care and patient safety in the WHO European Region

State of play and future prospects

Organised by the Athens Quality of Care and Patient Safety Office, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

The WHO Regional Office for Europe, through the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety, is launching the first ever cross-sectional analysis of the current status of quality of care and patient safety in the WHO European Region.

As health systems and health sector reforms must become increasingly quality-oriented in their goals, data on quality of care are paramount. At the heart of the analysis are multidimensional country profiles that offer insights into different quality of care dimensions, health system functions, and population health outcomes. Aggregated data show persistent quality of care and patient safety gaps across different settings, with the most vulnerable populations faring the worst. The findings serve a strong call for action to prioritize quality of care as a driving force for Universal Health Coverage, health system reforms and improved health and societal outcomes. Specific areas that need attention and investment will be presented next to an overview of evidence-based and actionable policy recommendations to support health system reform towards improved quality of care.