The Council of Europe recommendation Rec(2006)7 on management of patient safety and prevention of adverse events in health care

Abstract

Among the various national and international initiatives to promote patient safety that have emerged in recent years, one has remained confidential, almost invisible—the Council of Europe Recommendation Rec(2006)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the management of patient safety and prevention of adverse events in health care [1]. I believe that this is unfortunate, as this recommendation may stimulate progress in patient safety, but only if ‘member states’ are listening. The aim of this editorial is to get the readers of the journal to read, critique and discuss this document—better yet, to use it. The recommendation outlines a comprehensive policy to improve patient safety, intended for implementation at the national level, but with a clear intent to foster international collaboration in this area. Although it is not a legally binding document, it has been approved by the Committee of ministers of the Council of Europe in May 2006, and as such is supposed to guide policy in the 47 member states of the Council, from Russia to Malta and from Azerbaijan to Iceland (in addition, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the USA and the Holy See have observer status with the Council). Note that the Council of Europe has lent its flag to the European Community, but these two organizations are distinct (more about the Council of Europe on www.coe.int). As the Council is concerned with the governance of nations whose health-care systems differ enormously in their stage of development, their philosophy and in the amount of resources available, its recommendations have potential applicability worldwide. Furthermore, the ministers who approve the …