Division 2.1.2.3 Health security and strategies relevant to communicable diseases control (Annex — points 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.9)

There are still gaps in information and knowledge concerning the review, development and evaluation of policies and plans to cope with the hazards arising in the different health care settings, from the cabinet of generalist through the first line emergency rooms to the most sophisticated specialised hospital, including those habilitated to manage high risk patients.

Improvement in patient safety and quality of health care can be supported in the Member States by networking at European level and adopting appropriate strategies and structures to respond to health security emergencies and control of communicable diseases. This action aims to promote activities relating to preparedness (such as pre-event vaccinations and stockpiling), control/elimination of communicable diseases and patient safety. Actions would be promoted that support inter-disciplinary communication (e.g. general practitioners, pharmacists, veterinarians, and relevant non-medical disciplines) and facilitate cooperation through platforms and networking.

Other priorities are activities that support:

• control and prevention programmes for childhood infectious diseases (including activities that foster the exchange of best practise on vaccination and immunisation strategies, e.g. vaccine preventable diseases under Decision 2119/98/EC^f1. Activities on controlling adverse effects (from vaccines, chemicals, antiviral, other medicines and medical devices), in cooperation with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA);

• networking and sharing information between Member States in order to improve patient safety and quality of care, in particular management and control of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance, including other exposures related to hospital or health care environment (chemical exposure, drugs, disinfectant, indoor air quality, etc). Activities relating to issues such as exchange of best practices in the field of patient safety (reporting and learning systems, training and education), developing mechanisms and tools to improve information for patients, citizens and health professionals on patient safety, to develop a better understanding of patient safety interventions and the economic implications of unsafe services and medical errors, and to support underpin national policies and programmes.