Press Release: Commission takes steps to promote patient safety in Europe

Each year, in the EU, between 8% and 12% of patients admitted to hospitals suffer harm from the healthcare they receive, including from healthcare associated infections. Much of that harm is preventable. On 15 December, 2008, the Commission adopted a Communication and proposal for a Council Recommendation with specific actions that Member States can take, either individually, collectively or with the Commission, to improve the safety of patients.

European Commission: MEMO/08/788: Questions and Answers on patient safety, including the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/788&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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