Conference on Patent Safety…

Patient safety at the heart of training and practice

On December 10, 2024, a captivating conference on patient safety was organized by the center Continuing Health Training Valaisin collaboration with theOrTrathe Valais Red Cross and the HES-SO Valais-Wallis. This event highlighted the importance of quality and safety in the training of healthcare professionals, at all levels, to meet the current and future challenges of the Swiss healthcare system.

Placing patient safety at the center of the educational, scientific and societal mission is essential to meet the current and future challenges of the Swiss health system. Lara de Preux-AlletDirector of the Valais-Wallis Haute École de Santé, opened the conference by reaffirming this fundamental objective and emphasizing the importance of continuing and adapted training.

Guaranteeing quality training, fully integrating safety concepts, is a constant commitment to healthcare professionals in training, whether auxiliaries or specialists in advanced training. Isabelle Darbelly MétraillerDirector of the Valais Red Cross, highlighted this effort, testifying to the integration of these principles in the educational pathways offered by her institution.

A landmark intervention on patient safety

At Prof. Dr. Phil. yl Carla Meyer-Massetti presented the Patient Safety Foundation Switzerlanda key organization working to reduce medical errors and improve healthcare safety. Through a fictitious patient journey, she illustrated the challenges and opportunities for improvement in the care pathway while presenting the projects supported by the foundation. These projects aim to reduce risks at each stage of a patient’s journey.Innovative projects addressed included:

Significant facts to raise awareness

Concerning statistics were shared to raise awareness among participants:

• On average, doctors only have 2.2 minutes per hour to check medications.
• 55% of medications are prescribed without indication, and 44% of treatments include omissions.

A shared vision for the future

The conclusion of Laurence FournierDirector of theOrTra Health/Social Valais Wallisreiterated the importance of remaining informed and proactive in the face of patient safety challenges. The participants left inspired, with many projects in mind, testifying to the impact of this conference.