(Vienna, 10 September 2026) Safe patient care relies on a wide range of measures: from safe medication and consistent hand hygiene to comprehensive information and knowing how to act correctly in emergency situations. To mark International Patient Safety Day on 17 September 2026, visitors can gain practical insights and speak to experts from University Hospital Vienna (AKH) and MedUni Vienna across various specialist areas in the entrance hall of University Hospital Vienna from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, with no prior booking required. The focus will be on the topics of medication knowledge, wound management, hand hygiene, parents as key partners in the care of sick children, resuscitation in young children, and safety in relation to blood products and lumbar punctures.
Advice on medicines and interactions
Many patients take several medicines every day. These may be supplemented by over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers or dietary supplements. At the University Hospital Vienna (AKH), an interdisciplinary team from the AKH and MedUni Vienna provides advice on all aspects of medication therapy at Austria’s first specialist outpatient clinic for medication therapy and interactions. A medication review is carried out to determine whether side effects or interactions may occur and whether the medications, taken as a whole, are optimally adjusted. “At the specialist outpatient clinic for drug therapy and interactions, patients on complex, multiple medication regimens receive advice from specialist experts. The aim is to identify potential drug-related problems at an early stage and, where possible, to prevent them,” explains Martina Anditsch, Head of the Hospital Pharmacy at University Hospital Vienna.
At the special outpatient clinic’s information stand, the team provides information on aspects of medication safety. An appointment at the clinic can be arranged directly on site.
Expertise for targeted and safe wound care
Particularly when managing chronic or complex wounds, specialist knowledge and close collaboration between different professional groups are required to prevent stressful situations and impairments to the quality of life of those affected. Professional and individually tailored wound care supports the healing process and prevents complications. At University Hospital Vienna, wound management is one of the key priorities of nursing care. Experts are on hand to support patients with their specialist knowledge and guide them through a personalised wound care programme.
At the information stand ‘Modern Wound Management at University Hospital Vienna’, those interested can obtain personalised information on all aspects of wound care and gain an insight into phase-appropriate wound care.
Preventing infections through proper hand hygiene
Hygienic hand disinfection is the simplest and, at the same time, most effective method of preventing the transmission of pathogens and avoiding infections. “In the healthcare sector, hands are the most common carriers of germs. Patients and visitors in hospital can play a significant role in protecting themselves and others from pathogens and infectious diseases by practising consistent hand hygiene,” emphasises Elisabeth Presterl, Head of the Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control at University Hospital Vienna (AKH Vienna) and MedUni Vienna.
To mark Patient Safety Day, the clinic team is demonstrating how to carry out correct hand disinfection.
Maximum safety in blood donation and transfusion
To ensure the safe and effective treatment of patients with chronic conditions using blood products such as blood plasma, red blood cell concentrates or platelet concentrates, numerous standardised procedures must be carried out with the utmost care and to the highest quality standards, from production and testing right through to the administration of various blood products. “At the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, there are a wide range of control mechanisms and procedures in place for handling blood products, which ensure that only healthy and compatible donors, as well as safe blood products, are used for the treatment of patients,” says Antonia Müller, Head of the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy at University Hospital Vienna (AKH) and MedUni Vienna.
At the information stand, the clinic’s team explains the safety considerations that come into play behind the scenes during the donation and transfusion of blood products, and how these ensure maximum safety.
Lumbar puncture: Education helps alleviate fears
A lumbar puncture can provide important information that cannot be replaced by other tests. For certain conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord or meninges, this procedure forms the basis for effective treatments. For patients, however, the procedure – which involves withdrawing a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal in the lower lumbar region – is often accompanied by anxiety. Concerns about whether the spinal cord might be punctured or whether there is a risk of paralysis are common topics in the personal counselling sessions prior to the procedure.
At Patient Safety Day, experts from the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Vienna (AKH) and MedUni Vienna will provide information on the strict hygiene standards observed during every lumbar puncture, as well as on the benefits and potential risks of the procedure.
Care for the youngest patients: supporting parents
The Division of Neonatology, Intensive Care Medicine and Neuropediatrics at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at University Hospital Vienna (AKH) and MedUni Vienna is focusing on the role of parents of (chronically) ill children to mark this year’s International Patient Safety Day. The ‘Lines’ Legacy’ project raises awareness amongst healthcare professionals of the importance of incorporating parents’ perceptions and observations as a vital resource in the care of sick children. At the same time, parents are encouraged to openly voice their worries and concerns. Involving them throughout the entire course of an illness and treatment can make a significant contribution to the safe care of the youngest patients.
Furthermore, the Neonatology Department will once again be providing information on simulation and emergency training at its information stand this year. Visitors can get to know ‘Paul’, the premature baby simulator, and practise the basics of resuscitation for infants and children at a training station.
On Patient Safety Day
On 17 September, the WHO is putting patient safety in the spotlight worldwide. In 2026, the theme of the International Patient Safety Day will be ‘Safe care for non-communicable diseases’. The slogan “Safe care for life!” draws attention to the safe care of people with chronic conditions – from prevention and diagnosis through to long-term treatment and support. The University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna are once again taking part in the WHO campaign this year, with information stands and by illuminating the entrance areas in the campaign colour, orange.
Information stands for Patient Safety Day: Thursday, 17 September 2026, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, Treffpunkthalle in the main building of the University Hospital Vienna, Level 5, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna