From the Congress Chair: 
   Quality and accreditation practices are becoming increasingly prevalent in nursing services in our country. This trend necessitates
   that our nurses closely follow current developments. The 2nd International Congress on Patient Safety in Nursing Services,
   featuring participation from numerous experts worldwide, presents a valuable opportunity for our dedicated nurses to stay updated.
   As the President of the Health Academicians Association, I cordially invite you, our esteemed and devoted nurses, to the 2nd
   International Congress on Nursing Care on Patient Safety. I also encourage you to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations.
   Scheduled to take place in Antalya from May 21 to 24, 2025, the congress will offer a unique platform to explore collaborative
  approaches to patient safety through expert-led lectures, field practice presentations, workshops, and both oral and poster
  sessions. Participants will have the chance to examine innovative systems and ideas that transcend traditional boundaries.
  According to the global report published by the World Health Organization in 2022, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in
  7 out of every 100 patients in developed countries and 15 out of every 100 patients in less-developed countries.
  Hospital-acquired infections increase morbidity and mortality rates, prolong hospital stays, diminish quality of life, escalate costs,
  and lead to productivity loss and legal complications. In developed countries, deaths related to hospital infections rank among the
  top 10 causes of mortality.
  In Türkiye, data on hospital-acquired infections stem from studies conducted in various hospitals and years, making it difficult
  to determine a nationwide prevalence rate. In the United States alone, hospital-acquired infections account for over 2 million cases,
 90,000 deaths (equivalent to one death every six minutes), and an additional expenditure of $6.7 billion annually (based on
  2002 prices). In the United Kingdom, the cost is estimated at $1.7 billion, while in Norway, with a population of approximately
 4 million,the cost is $132 million. Although a nationwide cost analysis has not been conducted in Türkiye, the additional cost
  per patient  is estimated at approximately $1,500, resulting in an overall additional expenditure of $500 million to $1 billion.
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least one-third of healthcare-associated infections
 can be prevented. Implementing effective infection control measures is crucial in preventing and controlling
  hospital-acquired infections. Nurses play a pivotal role as the most active healthcare workers in this process.
 Preventing infections and ensuring safe reporting systems are essential for enhancing patient safety and the quality of
 healthcare services. Critical aspects of infection prevention for nurses include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment
 (PPE), sterilization and disinfection, and monitoring hospital-acquired infections. Adherence to procedures is particularly vital
  for preventing catheter-associated, ventilator-associated, and surgical site infections. Isolation protocols (e.g., standard and
 contact isolation) must be strictly implemented. Regular meetings with infection control teams and joint evaluations of
 reporting processes are essential. Collaboration among nurses, physicians, infection specialists, and administrative teams should be
 fostered. Additionally, healthcare institutions should set performance targets aimed at reducing infection rates and conduct
 regular assessments. Most importantly, continuous education on infection control measures for nurses should be ensured. Education
 on hygiene and safe reporting systems should also be provided to patients and their families to monitor, analyze, and prevent infections
 effectively.
 Among healthcare professionals, nurses are the primary users of "Incident reporting systems." Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
  and anonymous safe reporting systems enable healthcare workers to report errors or infection risks without fear. These systems
  are vital for learning from mistakes and improving processes. Errors and deficiencies should be assessed not for punitive purposes
 but for learning and development. Nurses, as frontline workers in infection control, rigorously implement infection control procedures,
  actively participate in safe reporting systems, and raise awareness within their teams by guiding patients and colleagues.
 Thus, the congress's main theme, "Strengthening Patient Safety, Controlling and Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections,
 and Incident Reporting Systems" aims to discuss the requirements of infection control and prevention practices and enhance
 the knowledge and skills of professionals in the field to make them experts.