DRIVING
PATIENT SAFETY FORWARD
European Patient Safety Foundation is an independent foundation, uniting experts and leading organisations to drive patient safety forward across Europe.
1 / 10
1 in every 10 patients is harmed in health care. (1)
3m
3 million deaths occur annually due to unsafe care. (1)
13%
The direct cost
of treating patients who have been harmed during their care approaches 13% of health spending. (2)
50%
Above 50% of harm (1 in every 20 patients) is preventable. (1)
WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS
IMPLEMENTATION
CHALLENGES
PATIENT
INVOLVEMENT
LEADERSHIP,
TEAM AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE
SAFETY
CULTURE
WORKING THEMES
If we want to achieve anything tangible, we have to focus. So we have to make choices. Therefore we decided to concentrate our work on a set of five strategic themes. Each of them is not just a technical question, but a driver of systemic change, factors that determine, more than anything else, whether patient safety will be strengthened or undermined in the years to come.
For the 2026 edition of the European Patient Safety Conference taking place on 4 December 2026 in Brussels, Belgium, we are proud to introduce the third edition of the Butterfly Impact Award: Small actions, Big Changes in Patient Safety, aimed at recognising outstanding contributions to patient safety.
Inspired by the ‘butterfly effect,’ where even small actions can create far-reaching impacts, this award honours projects that have successfully implemented innovative practices with measurable, evidence-based impacts on patient safety, emphasizing a no-tech or low-tech approach.
RESCUE
Interventions
Starting from 1 November 2025, the European Patient Safety Foundation (EUPSF) serves as the umbrella organisation for the RESCUE Initiative, a programme designed to help healthcare institutions assess and strengthen the structures and resources needed to support professionals affected as second victims after a highly stressful event.
The RESCUE programme provides two complementary instruments for self-assessment and external audit:
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RESCUE-Interventions: evaluation of the support measures and organisational processes available for second victims.
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RESCUE-Training: assessment of trained peer supporters who offer emotional and psychological guidance to colleagues in distress.
Together, these tools help healthcare organisations understand their level of preparedness, reinforce support structures, and promote a safer and more compassionate working environment.
STRONGER
TOGETHER
WE WORK CLOSELY WITH
OUR AFFILIATES
We are proud to be working with leading patient safety experts and organisations across Europe. We accelerate implementation of patient safety initiatives by creating a united network who share knowledge, tools and recommendations.
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Individuals
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Non-profit Organisations
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Industry
INDIVIDUALS
Dr. Angelika Werner
(Germany)
Dr. David Whitaker
(United Kingdom)
Dr. Johannes Wacker, MPH
(Switzerland)
NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS
GET INVOLVED
Keeping healthcare safe for both patients and professionals requires collective effort and open collaboration across Europe.
If you want to contribute to this effort, here are the ways to get involved.
STAY INFORMED
Stay informed about our activities, projects, and patient safety updates from across Europe.
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