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Rachel V Thomas

World Patient Safety Day: How To Prevent Harm In Chronic Disease Care

Noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases affect billions of people worldwide and cause around 43 million deaths every year, with most deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. 

These conditions often require lifelong care. From diagnosis and medication to monitoring and follow-up, each stage can carry safety risks, making timely, coordinated and patient-centered care essential. 

<span>World Patient Safety Day</span> is observed every year on September 17 to raise awareness about <span>patient safety</span> and accelerate action to reduce avoidable harm in healthcare. Around the world, one in 10 patients experience harm while receiving health care, and approximately half of these incidents are preventable.

In 2026, the campaign focuses on safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), with the slogan “Safe care for life!” 

“World Patient Safety Day is an annual reminder that if it's not safe, it's not care. This year, we're shining a light on safe care for non-communicable diseases. People with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease need care throughout their lives,” Dr Tedros shared in a post on X. 

He noted that every interaction with the health system comes with benefits and risks. 

“A delayed diagnosis, the wrong medicine, an unsafe procedure, or poor communication can have deadly consequences. Safe care must be built into every stage of the care journey, from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment, long-term management, and self-care,” the chief added. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-patient-safety-day-with-2800-margin-costly-hospital-consumables-can-threaten-patient-safety-heres-how-article-156174778" data-type="tilCustomLink">World Patient Safety Day: With 2800% Margin, Costly Hospital Consumables Can Threaten Patient Safety; Here’s How</a>

<h2>Why Do Chronic Conditions Raise The Risk Of Harm? </h2>

People with chronic diseases often need medicines, tests, consultations and other healthcare services over many years, increasing safety risks, particularly when care is fragmented or healthcare providers are not well coordinated. 

Patient safety risks can occur at different stages of care. Common sources include: 

<ul><li>Missed prevention opportunities </li></ul><ul><li>Delayed or incorrect diagnosis </li></ul><ul><li>Medication errors </li></ul><ul><li>Healthcare-associated infections </li></ul><ul><li>Unsafe use of medical devices </li></ul><ul><li>Poor communication and coordination </li></ul>

<h2>How Can Patients With Chronic Diseases Stay Safe? </h2>

Understanding your diagnosis and treatment can help you take an active role in your care. 

<ul><li>Know your diagnosis, treatment plan and why tests or medicines are needed. </li></ul><ul><li>Use trusted health sources and ask questions when something is unclear. </li></ul><ul><li>Confirm instructions and follow up on test results. </li></ul><ul><li>Speak up if something feels wrong. </li></ul><ul><li>Keep an updated list of your diagnoses, medicines and treatment plan, especially when seeing multiple doctors. </li></ul><ul><li>Attend regular appointments and know the warning signs that need medical attention. </li></ul><ul><li>Plan how you will access essential medicines, tests and follow-up care during disruptions. </li></ul>

Continuity of care is particularly important for people with NCDs. Poorly coordinated referrals, handovers and discharge processes can create safety gaps, especially for those managing multiple conditions or medicines. 

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/stem-cell-therapy-for-autism-what-indias-new-advisory-means-for-patients-article-156172804" data-type="tilCustomLink">Stem Cell Therapy For Autism: What India’s New Advisory Means For Patients</a>

<h2>Safer Care Also Depends On The Health System </h2>

Patient safety cannot be addressed by patients alone. Strong policies, coordinated healthcare services and well-supported health workers are essential to reducing avoidable harm. 

Fragmented care can put people managing complex chronic conditions at greater risk. Better communication between multidisciplinary teams can help identify problems earlier and reduce gaps in care. 

Delayed referrals can also cost valuable time. Well-coordinated referral pathways can help patients receive the right care at the right time. 

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<h2>What Should Healthcare Systems Do? </h2>

The WHO called on healthcare facility managers, health leaders and policymakers to strengthen patient safety as part of everyday NCD care. This includes building resilient facilities, strengthening risk management, supporting health workers and establishing reliable systems for continuous care before, during and after emergencies, according to the WHO. 

Healthcare systems should also ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines, diagnostics and medical devices while strengthening referral pathways and communication between healthcare providers. 

Investing in preparedness, continuous learning and quality improvement can further help reduce avoidable harm and improve the safety and quality of <span>chronic disease care</span>.

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Noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases affect billions of people worldwide and cause around 43 million deaths every year, with most deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. These conditions often require lifelong care. From diagnosis and medication to monitoring and follow-up, each stage can carry safety risks, making timely, coordinated and patient-centered care essential. World Patient Safety Day is observed every year on September 17 to raise awareness about patient safety and accelerate action to reduce avoidable harm in healthcare. Around the world, one in 10 patients experience harm while receiving health care, and approximately half of these incidents are preventable.In 2026, the campaign focuses on safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), with the slogan “Safe care for life!” “World Patient Safety Day is an annual reminder that if it's not safe, it's not care. This year, we're shining a light on safe care for non-communicable diseases. People with heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease need care throughout their lives,” Dr Tedros shared in a post on X. He noted that every interaction with the health system comes with benefits and risks. “A delayed diagnosis, the wrong medicine, an unsafe procedure, or poor communication can have deadly consequences. Safe care must be built into every stage of the care journey, from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment, long-term management, and self-care,” the chief added. Also read: World Patient Safety Day: With 2800% Margin, Costly Hospital Consumables Can Threaten Patient Safety; Here’s HowWhy Do Chronic Conditions Raise The Risk Of Harm? People with chronic diseases often need medicines, tests, consultations and other healthcare services over many years, increasing safety risks, particularly when care is fragmented or healthcare providers are not well coordinated. Patient safety risks can occur at different stages of care. Common sources include: Missed prevention opportunities Delayed or incorrect diagnosis Medication errors Healthcare-associated infections Unsafe use of medical devices Poor communication and coordination How Can Patients With Chronic Diseases Stay Safe? Understanding your diagnosis and treatment can help you take an active role in your care. Know your diagnosis, treatment plan and why tests or medicines are needed. Use trusted health sources and ask questions when something is unclear. Confirm instructions and follow up on test results. Speak up if something feels wrong. Keep an updated list of your diagnoses, medicines and treatment plan, especially when seeing multiple doctors. Attend regular appointments and know the warning signs that need medical attention. Plan how you will access essential medicines, tests and follow-up care during disruptions. Continuity of care is particularly important for people with NCDs. Poorly coordinated referrals, handovers and discharge processes can create safety gaps, especially for those managing multiple conditions or medicines. Read More: Stem Cell Therapy For Autism: What India’s New Advisory Means For PatientsSafer Care Also Depends On The Health System Patient safety cannot be addressed by patients alone. Strong policies, coordinated healthcare services and well-supported health workers are essential to reducing avoidable harm. Fragmented care can put people managing complex chronic conditions at greater risk. Better communication between multidisciplinary teams can help identify problems earlier and reduce gaps in care. Delayed referrals can also cost valuable time. Well-coordinated referral pathways can help patients receive the right care at the right time.    What Should Healthcare Systems Do? The WHO called on healthcare facility managers, health leaders and policymakers to strengthen patient safety as part of everyday NCD care. This includes building resilient facilities, strengthening risk management, supporting health workers and establishing reliable systems for continuous care before, during and after emergencies, according to the WHO. Healthcare systems should also ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines, diagnostics and medical devices while strengthening referral pathways and communication between healthcare providers. Investing in preparedness, continuous learning and quality improvement can further help reduce avoidable harm and improve the safety and quality of chronic disease care.

world patient safety day: how to prevent harm in chronic disease care

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