10 top patient safety concerns for 2019, ranked by ECRI Institute

Using EHRs to communicate diagnoses and manage test results earned the No. 1 spot on ECRI Institute's list of the Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2019.

ECRI Institute compiled the list based on 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.

"The list does not necessarily represent the issues that occur most frequently or are most severe," ECRI Institute wrote. "Rather, this list identifies concerns that might be high priorities for other reasons, such as new risks, existing concerns that are changing because of new technology or care delivery models, and persistent issues that need focused attention or pose new opportunities for intervention."

ECRI Institute suggested healthcare providers use this list as a starting point for launching patient safety discussions and setting priorities at their own facilities.

Here are the 10 top patient safety issues for 2019, as listed by ECRI Institute:

1. Diagnostic stewardship and test result management using EHRs
2. Antimicrobial stewardship in physician practices and aging services
3. Burnout and its effect on patient safety
4. Patient safety concerns involving mobile health
5. Reducing discomfort with behavioral health
6. Identifying changes in a patient's condition
7. Developing and maintaining skills
8. Early sepsis recognition across the care continuum
9. Infections from peripherally inserted IV lines
10. Standardizing safety efforts across large health systems

To download a copy of the report, click here.