This autumn, Munich will host the 2025 edition of the European Patient Safety Conference co-organised by the European Patient Safety Foundation (EUPSF), the German Coalition for Patient Safety (APS), and TUM Klinikum Rechts der Isar. The timing is symbolic: APS celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of national patient safety work in Germany. Ahead of the conference, we sat down with Ms. Kira Tosberg, Scientific Board Advisor of APS and Board Member of EUPSF, to explore what’s shaped APS over the years, why international collaboration matters, and what she’s looking forward to in Munich.
APS at 20: Where does it come from, and what does it stand for today?
The German Coalition for Patient Safety (APS) was founded 20 years ago, inspired by the landmark report To Err is Human. It began as a joint initiative between practitioners, academics, industry partners and patients who believed healthcare’s approach to mistakes, often marked by blame and silence, had to change. Today, APS brings together representatives of all health professions, their associations, patient organizations, industry, health insurers, business, academia, and even some German states to work on patient safety at all levels: through political advocacy, practical projects, and educational initiatives.
APS also works closely with the Patient Safety Institute, which was founded in 2009 at the University of Bonn on the initiative of APS and focuses more on scientific research, while APS leads on change in policies and in practices. Until today, the two are separate but strongly connected, regularly partnering on national studies and knowledge exchange.
Packing against Sepsis”-Event in Berlin, Germany (©APS e.V. | Jana Legler)
Looking back, what’s been achieved, and what frustrations remain?
Honestly, it’s both inspiring and frustrating. We’ve known many patient safety challenges for decades, yet political momentum to make systemic change remains slow. On the positive side, APS has kept patient safety on the agenda for 20 years, thanks to a committed community, all working without financial incentives, driven by the desire to improve care. We’ve seen real improvements, but change happens in small, hard-won steps, not big leaps.
At the same time, I think it’s important not to look at patient safety as a huge or unachievable goal, otherwise, of course it feels frustrating. If we break it down, focus on specific challenges and concrete actions, like the prevention of sepsis, it becomes much more manageable. That’s where you can actually see progress and feel a sense of achievement.
Why is it important to be part of a European patient safety network, and why does an annual European Patient Safety Conference matter?
Germany has an old, complex healthcare system, and it’s easy to say “that won’t work here.” But exchange with organisations and experts from all across the EU challenges that thinking.
Other countries, often smaller and more flexible, have come up with creative solutions we can learn from. And some challenges, like the healthcare workforce crisis, affect us all across Europe.
Being part of a European patient safety network gives us the chance to share strategies, find inspiration, and bring fresh perspectives into our national context. For APS, co-organising this European conference is a way to strengthen connections, exchange ideas, and help shape a stronger, more collaborative European patient safety community.
Picture: APS World Patient Safety Day Event 2024 in Berlin, Germany (©Kira Tosberg)
What makes you especially curious or enthusiastic about the upcoming conference?
In my eyes, two topics really stand out: the risks and opportunities associated with the use of data to improve safety, because I want to understand how other countries handle transparency and data use, as we are far behind in Germany. And elevating patient safety in the governance of healthcare settings and systems, because that’s where real change happens.
I’m also especially drawn to the idea of going “beyond wishful thinking,” which is how we want to approach the discussions about innovation and patient safety. The key question isn’t simply about the potential of new technologies, but rather: how can innovation realistically help improve patient safety when we face so many practical barriers, like staff shortages and system pressures? For me, it’s about moving away from waiting for perfect, breakthrough solutions that don’t take real-life conditions into account, and instead focusing on what we can already do today, with practical tools and ideas we can implement efficiently, to make care safer and better support those delivering it. That’s the kind of mindset shift I find both meaningful and hopeful.
Ms. Kira Tosberg
Scientific Board Advisor, German Coalition for Patient Safety (APS); Board Member, European Patient Safety Foundation (EUPSF)
Moderator of the Panel Discussion: Beyond wishful thinking: Innovation as a meaningful driver of patient safety
German Coalition for Patient Safety
Alte Jakobstraße 81, 10179 Berlin, Germany
www.aps-ev.de