Devices receiving emergency authorization top ECRI’s 2021 hazard list

The ECRI Institute’s annual Top 10 list of health technology hazards leads off with the complexity of managing medical devices that received emergency use authorization (EUA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid deployment of UV disinfection devices and the use of faulty N95 masks were among the other pandemic-related hazards potentially putting patients and health care workers at risk. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities, artificial intelligence algorithms, remote operation of medical devices, quality assurance related to 3D printing and reliance on consumer-grade products also made the list. Auto-completion of drug names in medication ordering, storage and delivery systems was also cited as a potential risk for fatal medication errors. (HealthLeaders Media article, 2/1/21)