Diagnostic Errors, Opioid Safety, Care Coordination Top ECRI List of 2018 Patient Safety Concerns

Diagnostic errors are the top patient safety issue of the moment, according to ECRI Institute’s latest ranking of top 10 patient safety concerns for healthcare organizations. The patient safety watchdog released its annual patient safety concerns report this week to raise awareness of these issues and suggest solutions.

According to ECRI Institute, about one in 20 adults each year experience a diagnostic error, which can lead to gaps in care, repeat testing, unnecessary procedures, and patient harm. Structured tools and algorithms can be used to help overcome cognitive biases that can lead to errors.

The top 10 list of concerns is as follows:

1. Diagnostic errors
2. Opioid safety across the continuum of care
3. Care coordination within a setting
4. Workarounds
5. Incorporating health IT into patient safety programs
6. Management of behavioral health needs in acute care settings
7. All-hazards emergency preparedness
8. Device cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization
9. Patient engagement and health literacy
10. Leadership engagement in patient safety

ECRI Institute based the list on concerns that have appeared in its members’ inquiries, root cause analyses, and the adverse events submitted to its Patient Safety Organization.