Summary
This Executive Brief presents the Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2026, produced by ECRI to inform the healthcare community about significant safety issues related to medical devices and systems. The report identifies potential sources of danger and provides practical recommendations aimed at reducing risks associated with these hazards. The hazards listed include the misuse of AI chatbots in healthcare, unpreparedness for digital events, and cybersecurity risks from legacy medical devices, among others. ECRI emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to safety, considering the interplay between technology, people, and processes in healthcare environments. The report encourages healthcare organizations to prioritize patient safety efforts by addressing these identified hazards and implementing system-wide safety solutions. It also highlights the role of effective problem reporting in identifying risks and preventing future incidents, advocating for a culture that supports learning from device-related failures.
