ECRI Releases Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2019

ECRI Institute recently published its “Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for Healthcare Organizations 2019.” To define this annual top 10 list, the independent nonprofit organization utilizes an extensive database of patient safety events. As described by Becker’s Hospital Review, the process includes “an analysis of more than 2.8 million patient safety events collected in the ECRI Institute PSO database since 2009, along with expert opinions from a panel of internal and external patient safety leaders.” Becker’s cites these as the top three risks identified by ECRI:

• diagnostic stewardship and test result management using EHRs;
• antimicrobial stewardship in physician practices and aging services; and
• burnout and its effect on patient safety.

In its press release introducing the 2019 list, ECRI states, “Diagnostic errors and managing test results remain in the top spot two years in a row. While many healthcare providers rely on EHRs to help with clinical decision support and tracking test results, technology is just one tool in the diagnostic process.” The list warrants the attention of facilities, physicians and other providers, and MLMIC encourages its insureds to read the full report.  It may be used as a starting point for conducting patient safety discussions, setting priorities and determining targeted areas for improvement. In addition, MLMIC offers a number of resources that can help policyholders address the topics identified by ECRI:

• Better Understanding of Diagnostic Errors May Lead to Prevention, a blog post on recent research with links to related CME programs on diagnostic error;
• Tracking Test Results, a risk management tip with guidance for implementing follow-up procedures;
• Hospital-Acquired Conditions Dropped Nearly 1 Million from 2014 to 2017, a blog post that reminds physicians and facilities about the positive impact of ongoing efforts to reduce HACs; and
• Physician Burnout and Depression May Lead to Medical Errors, a blog post that encourages physicians to be seek assistance for themselves and colleagues to cope with day-to-day pressure and stressful events.