ECRI Institute: Dirty endoscopes lead 2016 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards list

Editor's Note

Inadequate cleaning of flexible endoscopes is first on the ECRI Institute’s annual Top 10 Health Technology Hazards list for 2016.

Failure to effectively monitor postoperative patients for opioid-induced respiratory depression is third, and insufficient training of clinicians on OR technologies is fifth.

ECRI Institute releases the Top 10 list each year to help hospitals prioritize technology safety efforts that warrant their attention and to reduce patient risks.

PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA-Every year hospitals are blindsided and patients are harmed by unexpected health technology hazards. Medical technology is intended to improve patient care, but even the best of technology-if configured, used, or maintained improperly-can lead to problems. "With all of the issues that hospital leaders are dealing with, technology safety can often be overlooked," says Anthony Montagnolo, chief operating officer, ECRI Institute.