The conference titled "Patient Safety Research: Shaping the European Agenda" will examine evidence showing that harm from medical care poses a substantial burden in terms of suffering and death in Europe, and around the world.
WHO estimates that tens of millions of patients worldwide endure disabling injuries or death each year, directly attributed to unsafe medical practices and care.According to available statistics, in Europe alone, an average of one in every ten patients admitted to hospital suffers some form of preventable harm.
However, more research is needed to better understand the full impact of poor patient safety, the WHO said in a statement.
The conference, supported by the European Commission, will link researchers with policy-makers and build international collaborative research networks.
"Research in patient safety offers all WHO Member States a major innovative resource to assist their hospitals in avoiding harm from medical care and ensure that health care reduces patient suffering and does not contribute to it," said Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England, who chairs the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety.
"European countries now have the opportunity to translate research findings into tangible actions that can actually save lives," he added.
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The conference, organized by the Faculty of Public Health, UK, University College London and the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety, will offer opportunities to promote dialogue between researchers, policy-makers and other constituencies involved in health care in Europe.
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