10 top patient safety concerns in 2026: ECRI 

The use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis, rural healthcare access and federal funding cuts are among the most pressing patient safety concerns facing healthcare organizations in 2026, according to a new report from ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

Topping the list of patient safety threats this year is the “AI diagnostic dilemma.” As health systems increasingly adopt AI tools to support clinical decision-making, experts caution the technology may introduce new risks if used without proper oversight. While AI can analyze large volumes of clinical data, automate information retrieval and potentially improve diagnostic accuracy, ECRI warned that overreliance on these systems could contribute to diagnostic errors, automation bias and erosion of clinicians’ critical thinking skills.

To reduce these risks, the report urges healthcare organizations to implement governance policies for AI tools, train clinicians on their capabilities and limitations, and ensure AI supports — rather than replaces — clinical judgment.

Here are the 10 most pressing patient safety challenges in 2026, per the report:

1. Navigating the AI diagnostic dilemma
2. Reduced access to rural healthcare increases health risks and disparities
3. Increasing rates of preventable acute diseases in communities and healthcare settings 
4. Effects of federal funding cuts on healthcare operations and patient safety 
5. Lack of recognition and reporting of harm events
6. Structural and systemic barriers inhibit equitable pain management for women
7. Persistent workforce shortages continue to burden staff and restrict access to care 
8. The impact on system improvement when a culture of blame hinders learning
9. Emergency department boarding contributes to worse patient outcomes 
10. Persistent gaps in manufacturer packaging and labeling design continue to undermine medication safety efforts   

ECRI — founded in 1968 as the Emergency Care Research Institute — and ISMP compiled the list through a nomination process that drew on internal experts, healthcare leaders and public input. Nominated topics were supported by evidence from scientific literature, safety event reports, medication error reporting programs and investigations conducted by the organizations. A cross-disciplinary team then reviewed the topics and selected the final list based on factors such as the potential severity of harm, likelihood of occurrence, number of patients affected and how difficult the issue may be to detect or address.

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