A coalition of experts is advocating for enhanced protections and improved safety protocols for children within healthcare systems. The call to action, released Monday by the Patient Safety Action Alliance (APS), highlights concerning data from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding preventable adverse events.
According to WHO figures, up to 70% of serious adverse events in newborns could be avoided through the consistent application of safety protocols. Inadequate teamwork and communication are reportedly linked to a threefold increase in the risk of harm during the neonatal period. Furthermore, nearly 40% of severe complications display identifiable warning signs hours prior to their occurrence – signals requiring timely recognition and accurate interpretation.
“Children are not simply smaller adults” stated Ruth Hecker, chair of the APS. She emphasized that this understanding necessitates a fundamental shift in approach, prioritizing the unique needs of young patients considering their age, size, developmental stage and communication abilities. Parental involvement is also deemed crucial, acting as a vital link between the medical team and the child, often noticing subtle changes that healthcare professionals might miss. “We need to listen carefully to what parents observe” added Hecker.
Experts indicate that structural challenges within pediatric medicine have been neglected for years. Christian Deindl, deputy chair of the APS and a pediatric surgeon, criticized the unequal distribution of resources within the healthcare sector. He underscored that effective pediatric care necessitates not only compassion and empathy but also sufficient time and personnel. While initial years of life often involve higher healthcare expenditure on preventative measures like screenings and vaccinations, the long-term economic and social benefits are realized later in life. “Safe and reliable healthcare for infants, young children and adolescents requires age-specific expertise and focused specialization” concluded Deindl.
