TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is stepping onto the world stage as a Collaborating Centre of the World Health Organization.
The WHO has officially designated CPSI as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Patient Safety and Patient Engagement to carry out activities in support of WHO programs internationally. Of the more than 800 WHO Collaborating Centres from 80 countries worldwide, including 31 from Canada, CPSI holds the distinction of being the only one in Canada with a focus on both patient safety and patient engagement.
Over the course of the next four years, CPSI will lend policy, strategic and technical advice and consultation on various WHO initiatives, as well as support for the development, adaptation, spread, and evaluation of patient safety tools and resources at a global level.
According to CPSI CEO Chris Power, not only will this agreement allow for Canadian expertise to spread internationally, it also raises the bar for patient safety and patient engagement domestically by giving greater prominence to the safety and quality of Canadian healthcare – something that benefits every Canadian.
"The Canadian Patient Safety Institute has a long-standing collaborative relationship with the WHO Patient Safety Programme internationally, and has been a catalyst in developing collaborative partnerships across the country," says Power.
"We have benefited from the support of the WHO and their members in the development of Canadian products and services, and indirectly we have provided Canadian support to assist transitional and developing countries. We are excited about this opportunity to advance safer care through patient safety and patient engagement, both locally and globally."
Maryann Murray, a member of Patients for Patient Safety Canada, who also recently addressed the World Health Assembly's side event at the annual meeting to share her experiences leading to her daughter's death, says CPSI's designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre, has the potential to do a lot of good.
For instance, Five Questions to Ask about Your Medications, a prime example of a Canadian tool developed by patients and providers on how to have a conversation about safe medication use, is now available in more than 20 languages.
"By sharing knowledge and resources, we contribute to the development of universal products and tools that will assist in significantly reducing medication harm around the globe," says Murray.
Dr. Neelam Dhingra-Kumar, Coordinator, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, WHO headquarters, Geneva, echoes Maryanne Murray's sentiments, and believes this is a win for all involved.
"Patient engagement is a core strategy for advancing universal health coverage, safe and quality health care, service coordination and people-centredness," says Dr. Dhingra-Kumar. "Canada is recognized as a world leader in both patient safety and patient engagement so we believe that this collaboration will help improve lives around the world."
For more information about the WHO Collaborating Centre designation, visit the WHO website.
About Canadian Patient Safety Institute
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to raise awareness and facilitate implementation of ideas and best practices to achieve a transformation in patient safety. Funded by Health Canada, CPSI reflects the desire to close the gap between the healthcare we have and the healthcare we deserve. www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca
SOURCE Canadian Patient Safety Institute
For media inquiries, please contact: Cecilia Bloxom, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Canadian Patient Safety Institute, Phone (780) 700-8642
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