Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2026

ECRI's Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2026 report covers 10 technology-related patient safety threats that warrant priority attention in today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. By identifying these risks, ECRI helps healthcare providers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders take proactive steps to minimize harm, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall safety and reliability of healthcare systems.

This ECRI Lab Webcast examines the 10 hazards covered in the 2026 report. A panel of ECRI experts describes the risks and offers insight into how each issue impacts patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations as a whole. Plus, presenters review actions that stakeholders can take to reduce these risks.

Presenters discussed:

• The Challenges: Overview of the 10 technology safety topics selected for ECRI's 2026 report, along with discussion of the potential consequences for patient safety, clinician efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
• Practical Solutions: Step-by-step strategies and best practices for mitigating these risks, including recommendations for device selection and implementation, user training, and risk management practices that can help prevent harm.
• Industry Collaboration: Discussion of the current state of technology development and recommendations for how device manufacturers and other stakeholders can respond to these risks and improve the safety and reliability of these products.

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Speakers

• Rob Schluth, Principal Project Officer I, Device Safety
• Brad Bonnette, Senior Project Officer, Device Safety
• Ismael Cordero, Senior Project Engineer, Device Safety
• Karen Haberland, Senior Project Engineer, Device Safety
• Shannon Kooker (Davila), Executive Director, Total Systems Safety
• Scott Luney, Cybersecurity Consulting Lead, Device Safety
• Christina Michalek, Director, Membership & PSO, ISMP
• Mukui Mutunga, Senior Project Officer, Device Safety
• Francisco Rodriguez, Principal Project Officer I, Device Safety
• Amanda Sivek, Principal Project Engineer II, Device Safety
• Mairead Smith, Principal Project Engineer I, Device Safety
• Dustin K. Telford, Associate Consultant, Device Safety Consulting