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Device-Related Hazards Jeopardize Patient Safety
Experts Call for Shared Responsibility Between Clinicians , Manufacturers
Clinicians should not be viewed as the sole protectors of patient safety , but rather the last line of defense : Individuals who are in a position to spot potential problems and prevent an adverse event before it occurs .”
— Rob Schluth
By Kelly M . Pyrek
Technology-related hazards in the healthcare environment are escalating as advanced equipment and medical devices proliferate . The challenge is that clinicians may not be adequately educated and trained to interact properly with this technology , thus opening themselves – and their patients – to adverse outcomes during care delivery .
ECRI , a non-profit patient safety organization , has released its Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report for 2023 , cautioning about potential safety risks with 10 health technologies , including single-use products , medication cabinets , cybersecurity of cloud-based systems , and ventilator disinfection .
“ Clinicians are literally at the frontlines of healthcare — they use the full range of health technologies while providing patient care . So naturally they play a key role in preventing technology-related hazards , and their familiarity with a device and level of training will be a factor ,” says Rob Schluth , principal project officer in ECRI ’ s Device Evaluation group . “ Minimizing the risk of harm requires that clinicians understand what a device can and can ’ t do and that they know how to use the device safely .”
Schluth continues , “ For instance , topics covered in ECRI ’ s 2023 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report describe the need for healthcare workers ( a ) to understand the factors that can increase the risk of adverse outcomes when using technologies such as inflatable pressure infusers , hemodialysis machines , and electrosurgical units , ( b ) to know which situations warrant emergency measures , such as using the override feature on an automated medication dispensing cabinet , ( c ) to use appropriate protocols when deploying cardiac telemetry monitors , and ( d ) to examine devices / supplies for damage before use and to report any problems they see .”
Responsibility is shared with the equipment and device manufacturers , ECRI emphasizes in its 2023 report .
“ Clinicians should not be viewed as the sole protectors of patient safety , but rather the last line of defense : Individuals who are in a position to spot potential problems and prevent an adverse event before it occurs ,” Schluth confirms . “ Decisions made and actions taken before the clinician even touches the device are just as important . Considerations include : Is the device or system of sufficient quality , and is it appropriate for the clinical need ? Has it been installed or configured appropriately ? And has it been adequately maintained ?”
He adds , “ One point we emphasize in our report is that device manufacturers play a critical role as well . In this era when healthcare facilities are understaffed and healthcare workers are overstressed , it ’ s more important than ever that medical technologies be designed in ways that help ensure their safe use . ECRI is encouraging manufacturers to “ design out ” technology hazards when it ’ s possible to do so . An engineering solution that eliminates a hazard will always be preferable to a training solution that can only warn of a hazard .”