ECRI Institute’s rich history spans nearly 40 years of applied research in healthcare. From its research roots and early transition to an evaluator of medical technologies, ECRI Institute now plays a major role in technology planning, procurement and management, patient safety, quality and risk management, healthcare policy and research, and healthcare environmental management. Here are some of the milestones in our organization’s history.

Early Years

• 1968—Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) formally began operation focusing on research in emergency medicine, resuscitation, and related biomedical engineering studies. The Institute’s first evaluation of 18 brands of manually operated resuscitators found nine to be ineffective and started ECRI as an independent evaluator and provider of medical-device-related information and guidance.

• Early 1970s—Adopted the acronym ECRI as the organization broadened its work beyond emergency care.

• 1972—Transitioned to a testing and publishing organization with virtually no federal funding.

• 1971—Published the first monthly issue of our journal, Health Devices, which to this day provides valuable medical equipment evaluations, technology management guidance, and hazard reports.

• 1974—Developed and operated the largest shared clinical engineering program providing inspection, preventive maintenance, and service support to 130 hospitals.

Transition to Health Services Research Organization

• 1968 to 1980—ECRI Institute concentrated on medical equipment evaluation, accident investigation, consultation, and other device-related activities. We established the first medical device problem reporting system and earned our reputation for independent and objective studies and judgment by paralleling the model of Consumer Reports.

• 1981—Launched the Healthcare Risk Control System, a membership service that helped make ECRI Institute a leader in providing guidance and information to healthcare facilities and insurance companies seeking help with patient safety, risk, and quality management.

• 1982—ECRI Institute began our earliest healthcare technology assessment and publishing program. SELECTplus™ provides customized reports that recommend equipment purchases and related budgeting and financial judgment.

Gaining International Recognition 

• 1987—The World Health Organization designated ECRI Institute as a Collaborating Center in recognition of the Institute’s achievements in advancing the safety and cost-effectiveness of patient care. In 2003, ECRI Institute’s terms of reference expanded to include patient safety, healthcare technology, and risk management.
  
  
• 1990—Developed the Center for Healthcare Environmental Management (CHEM), an international membership organization dedicated to providing continuing education and professional accreditation for the healthcare safety and environmental manager. 
  
  
• Early 1990s—Opened regional offices in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. ECRI Institute expanded our international activities with high-quality consulting projects for hospitals, health systems, and government agencies in Australia, Bahrain, Cameroon, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Oman, Panama, Peru, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
  
  
• 1993—ECRI Institute implemented an International Healthcare Technology Assessment database, supported in part by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  
  
• 1993—ECRI Institute’s Health Technology Assessment Information Service (HTAIS) was developed and accepted as the gold standard for health technology assessment, providing comprehensive and objective information on the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of all types of healthcare technology.
  
  
• 1997—Designated an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Web Resource Enhancements

• Late 1990s—ECRI Institute strengthened our Web capabilities to better meet the demands and expectations of our members for continuously updated electronic information. New online products were launched, including Health Devices Gold, Health Devices International Sourcebase, Healthcare Standards Directory Online, and others.  

Clearinghouse Development

• Late 1990s—ECRI Institute was awarded contracts to develop and maintain the National Guideline Clearinghouse, the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse, and the Quality Tools Web site for the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Leadership Transition for 21st Century

• 2001—ECRI Institute’s founder, Joel J. Nobel, M.D., turned his attention to developing and managing the organization's presence in Asia and the Middle East. Jeffrey C. Lerner, Ph.D., was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Anthony Montagnolo, M.S., was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Ronni Solomon, J.D., was selected Executive Vice President and General Counsel. 
  
  
• ECRI Institute maintains close working relationships with the European Union, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization, the Council of Europe, and ministries of health, medical device regulatory agencies, and healthcare organizations through the world.

National Patient Library

• 1990s—The first Patient Reference Guide, “High-Dose Chemotherapy with Bone Marrow Transplant and/or Stem Cell Transplant for Metastatic Breast Cancer,” was published as part of ECRI Institute's goal for a National Patient Library™. 
  
  
• 2002—The second patient reference guide used an evidence-base to help answer the question “Should I Enter a Clinical Trial?”
  
  
• 2006—Developed and launched the Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide for Family and Friends and Web site, www.bulimiaguide.org.

The Present

• 2007—The acronym, ECRI, was expanded to ECRI Institute to more broadly describe our foundation in independence and scientific research. ECRI Institute marries practical experience and uncompromising independence with the thoroughness and objectivity of evidence-based research.

To learn more about ECRI Institute’s latest research findings, visit the News Room, e-mail communications@ecri.org, or contact us for more information.