Top 5 Healthcare Hazards for 2023

Top 5 Healthcare Hazards for 2023

Healthcare encompasses the improvement of health through the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases, injuries, and various physical and mental disabilities.

In 2023, there will be a stronger emphasis on primary care, widespread availability of telemedicine, and the integration of AI to improve patient outcomes. Healthcare professionals will also be exploring methods to cut costs while enhancing patient satisfaction and overall experience.

Current Challenges Facing Hospitals:

The healthcare landscape is diverse, with advanced technologies, skilled professionals, and well-equipped facilities on one side, while on the other, we face the challenges of an aging population and escalating healthcare costs. Both sides are striving to adapt to the uncertainties that lie ahead.

Below are some of the challenges that hospitals are currently encountering:

• Rising Medical Costs:

The healthcare cost crisis is not new. Various stakeholders—including payers, medical device manufacturers, and health plan providers—impact the pricing of healthcare services.

With so many parties involved, conflict is inevitable. Reaching an agreement requires careful planning and patience.

These rising costs directly affect healthcare organizations’ revenue, as patients may hesitate to go for routine follow-ups or lab tests due to financial concerns, ultimately leading to poorer clinical outcomes.

• Financial Strain and Hospital Productivity:

With healthcare costs climbing globally, hospitals are the second-most energy-intensive establishments after restaurants. Combined with an aging population and increased energy prices, these financial strains pressure institutions to provide better care with fewer resources.

• Ensuring Patient Safety:

An estimated 20,000 Americans and 5,000 immigrants die each year from infections acquired during medical treatment. Reducing the risk of infections, along with other threats like power outages, is crucial for delivering high-quality patient care and maintaining the organization’s reputation.

• Regulatory Compliance and Energy Standards:

Failing to adhere to regulations can disrupt operations, lead to inadequate care, create safety issues, and result in significant penalties. Many countries are pushing health clinics to cut their carbon footprints and meet energy reduction mandates as demand for energy rises.

• Hospital Security:

Healthcare facilities are often open around the clock, putting visitors under significant stress during critical times. Issues such as drug theft, vandalism, child abductions, and wandering patients represent serious security challenges.

• Patient Satisfaction:

Effective treatment impacts both the length of hospital stays and the likelihood of rehospitalization. The American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) notes that patients are generally discharged from high-quality hospitals about 2.5 days earlier than from traditional ones. Patient satisfaction also affects hospital revenue; quality metrics may decline if systems fail to operate effectively.

Top 5 Hazards in 2023:

The following list reflects the collective assessment of the health technology hazards that should be prioritized in 2023. While many previously identified risks remain significant—including the need for robust cybersecurity measures, noted as the top threat in 2022—there are new challenges that require immediate attention.

The ECRI (Emergency Care Research Institute) report highlights several industry challenges for 2023, urging manufacturers to develop processes or devices that reduce or eliminate these risks. Given the staffing shortages and high stress among healthcare employees, it is vital to innovate technologies that ensure safe use.

• Medication Errors from Improper Use of Automated Dispensing Cabinets:

Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) are designed to provide controlled access to medications near the point of care. However, these cabinets often contain locked drawers or compartments for drug storage. Healthcare professionals must ensure that the medications they provide, verified by a pharmacist, are used correctly to avoid errors.

• Potential Care Disruptions from Cybersecurity Threats to Cloud-Based Systems:

While using cloud technology for clinical services like electronic health records (EHR) offers numerous benefits over traditional systems, it also introduces security risks that cannot be ignored. Organizations that overlook these risks may face severe security breaches that compromise healthcare quality and put patient information at risk.

• Patient Risks from Gaps in Communication About At-Home Medical Devices:

Patients using home medical devices often lack clear and accurate information regarding issues or recalls, leading to a growing awareness gap as care increasingly shifts to home settings.

• Risks Associated with Forgotten Arterial Needles:

Hemodialysis carries significant risks, especially if a central venous line becomes disconnected or the venous needle detaches. Such events can lead to rapid blood loss or severe injury, often without adequate alarm signals from the hemodialysis machinery.

• Ongoing Risks Due to Reporting Gaps Related to Device Issues:

Reporting problems with medical devices is crucial for ensuring safety among healthcare staff and patients. Unfortunately, many issues go unreported, and healthcare organizations need to identify and eliminate barriers to accurate reporting. Streamlining the reporting process is essential to minimize disruptions in patient care and enhance safety by fostering an environment conducive to reporting, training staff to recognize risks, providing timely feedback, and celebrating successes where reports have prevented harm.

Ways to Mitigate Healthcare Hazards:

By understanding the risks associated with various hazards, we can take proactive measures to reduce or eliminate them.

• Eliminate the hazard altogether.
• Substitute the hazard with a less risky alternative.
• Isolate the hazard.
• Implement administrative controls.
• Follow standard precautions.
• Use personal protective equipment.