Brussels, 15/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 15 November, the European Commission published a report on patient safety in the European Union. The study focuses in particular on the member states' implementation of the objectives that were fixed in 2009 to improve patient safety (especially against healthcare associated infections, mistakes and delays in diagnosis, and surgical or medicinal errors). The conclusions show that the member states have embedded into public health policies several general measures aiming to ensure more patient safety. However, more targeted actions have not yet been generalised. The economic and financial crisis has, furthermore, slowed down the process of adopting measures due to many member states' changed priorities in public health. In conclusion, the report recommends more rational and targeted programmes, more staff with better training in infection control, and more suitable infrastructure. The report is available on: http://ec.europa.eu/health/patient_safety/policy/index_en.htm (IL/transl.fl)