ECRI Institute engineers, scientists, clinicians, and other patient safety analysts rank the top technology-related threats that healthcare providers are likely to encounter in the coming year.
Infusion errors, dirty scopes, and missed ventilator alarms are top threats to patient safety that healthcare providers will likely encounter in the coming year, according to ECRI Institute.
ECRI's annual Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2017 list is offered to help hospitals and other healthcare facilities recognize the danger or difficulty that comes with health technology, and the steps needed to minimize adverse events.
"This list focuses on what we call generic hazards—problems that result from the risks inherent to the use of certain types or combinations of medical technologies. It does not discuss risks or problems that pertain to specific models or suppliers," ECRI said in an executive brief.
To compile the list, ECRI staff consider the thousands of health-technology-related problem reports receive through its Problem Reporting Network and through data that participating facilities share. The Top 10 List is drawn from recommendations submitted by ECRI Institute engineers, scientists, clinicians, and other patient safety analysts.
The top hazard in 2017 waves a red flag at infusion errors that can still occur when using large-volume infusion pumps. ECRI notes that modern pumps have safety mechanisms that reduce the risks of infusion errors, but they cannot eliminate all potential errors, and the mechanisms themselves have been known to fail.
"ECRI Institute continues to receive reports and investigate incidents of uncontrolled flow of medication to the patient—a potentially fatal circumstance known as "IV free flow"—and other infusion errors," the report said. "Fortunately, a few simple steps can help catch use errors and component failures before patient care is affected."
The list for 2017:
1. Infusion Errors Can Be Deadly If Simple Safety Steps Are Overlooked
2. Inadequate Cleaning of Complex Reusable Instruments Can Lead to Infections
3. Missed Ventilator Alarms Can Lead to Patient Harm
4. Undetected Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression
5. Infection Risks with Heater-Cooler Devices Used in Cardiothoracic Surgery
6. Software Management Gaps Put Patients, and Patient Data, at Risk
7. Occupational Radiation Hazards in Hybrid ORs
8. Automated Dispensing Cabinet Setup and Use Errors May Cause Medication Mishaps
9. Surgical Stapler Misuse and Malfunctions
10. Device Failures Caused by Cleaning Products and Practices
ECRI said that not all hazards on the list will apply at all healthcare facilities. In addition, hazards identified in earlier years that did not make the 2017 Top 10 List still warrant attention.
"Most of these hazards persist, and hospitals should continue working toward minimizing them," the report said. "Rather, our experts determined that other topics should receive greater attention in 2017."