Patients rights

to freedom from harm

Key Facts

The occurrence of adverse events due to unsafe care is

likely one of the 10 leading causes of death and disability
in the world
In high-income countries, it is estimated that one in
every 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital
care
Each year, 134 million adverse events occur in hospitals
in low- and middle-income countries, due to unsafe care,
resulting in 2.6 million deaths (WHO, 2019)
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm
Harmful situations

in the hospital
Medication errors
Healthcare-associated infections
Unsafe surgical care procedures
Unsafe injections practices
Diagnostic errors
Unsafe transfusion practices
Radiation errors
Sepsis
Venous thromboembolism (blood
clots)
 Patients rights

to freedom from harm

There should be a balance between potential

benefits of the client’s medical regimen or
management and the risks assumed by the client
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

- “Risk-benefit ratio”
the benefits should outweigh the harm
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

possibility of injury in
Exposure to the
daily situations should be minimal
(minimal risk)
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

Right for advance directives

-An advance directive is a legal
document that explains how you want
medical decisions about you to be
made if you cannot make the decisions
yourself.
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

Right for health education

-The patient has a right to be informed of the
result of the evaluation of the nature and extent
of his disease, any other additional or further
contemplated medical treatment on the surgical
procedure, including any other additional
medicines to be administered.
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

Right to expect reasonable continuity of care

- Continuity of care refers to patients experiencing
connected and coordinating care as they move
between health care providers and through the
health care system.
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

- Right to be informed of continuing

health care requirements following
discharge, including appointment
schedules with the physician
 Patients rights
to freedom from harm

5 Factors that can help improve patient safety in hospitals

Use monitoring technology.

Make sure patients understand their treatment.
Verify all medical procedures.
Follow proper handwashing procedures.
Promote a team atmosphere.
Thank you!