Webinar on improving diagnosis for patient safety in medical imaging

Recognising the critical importance of correct and timely diagnoses in ensuring patient safety, “Improving diagnosis for patient safety” has been selected as the theme for World Patient Safety Day 2024. This is especially relevant when it comes to medical imaging and radiation safety where an understanding of benefits and risks is an important aspect.

Through the slogan “Get it right, make it safe!”, WHO calls for concerted efforts to significantly reduce diagnostic errors through multifaceted interventions rooted in system thinking, human factors and active engagement of patients, their families, health workers and their leaders. These interventions include but are not limited to ascertaining complete patient history, undertaking thorough clinical examination, improving access to diagnostic examinations, implementing methods to measure and learn from errors, and adopting technology-based solutions.

The webinar aims to raise global awareness of errors in diagnosis contributing to patient harm and emphasize the pivotal role of correct, timely and safe diagnosis in improving patient safety. It will bring together NGOs in official relations with WHO involved in radiation safety and medical imaging. Furthermore, the WHA76.5 resolution on Strengthening Diagnostics Capacity that calls for safe use of diagnostic imaging procedures, and the IAEA’s perspective on quality in medical imaging to prevent errors and ensure patient safety will be presented.

The panelists will discuss their strategies for improving diagnosis for patient safety and how their organizations can foster collaboration with policymakers, health care leaders, health workers, patients, and other stakeholders in advancing correct, timely and safe diagnosis.

Agenda

• Welcoming remarks – Emilie van Deventer (WHO) / DG recorded message
• WHO’s World Patient Safety Day – Ayda Taha (WHO)
• Patient testimony – Steve Ebdon-Jackson
• WHO resolution on strengthening diagnostics capacity: Committing to safe imaging procedures – Adriana Velazquez Berumen (WHO)
• The IAEA’s perspective in enhancing Patient Safety in medical imaging: The power of quality to prevent diagnostic errors – Virginia Tsapaki (IAEA)
• Panel discussion: What is the role of NGOs in improving medical radiological diagnosis to enhance patient safety?
• Conclusion and closing remarks – Ferid Shannoun (WHO)

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