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THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENT SAFETY IN THE COLOMBIAN HEALTH
This article offers a systematic analysis of the contemporary panorama of patient safety in the Colombian health system, considering national policies, regulatory frameworks and institutional practices. Within this panorama, it highlights the strengthening of the safety culture, the reporting of adverse events and the convergence with the international experience following the adoption of Colombia's national patient safety policy in 2008. However, persistent challenges remain restricted access to timely care, structural deficiencies, financial pressures and inadequate professional development. The paper draws on peer-reviewed studies and institutional reports published between 2010 and 2024, and highlights medication errors, late diagnoses and suboptimal infection control as critical safety issues. The economic impact is also significant: up to 13% of healthcare spending is related to preventable harm. However, state-of-the-art models, such as the S.A.F.E. model and family-activated emergency teams, show promise in promoting safety. The results highlight the importance of a holistic approach that includes education, technology, and regulation to help improve patient safety throughout the hospital system in Colombia.
