The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have redesignated ECRI Institute as a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center for Patient Safety, Risk Management and Healthcare Technology. Collaborating Center appointment by PAHO/WHO indicates that an organization contributes to WHO's public health mission by providing specialized knowledge, expertise, and support in the health field to WHO and its member nations.

Terms of reference, agreed upon by WHO and the Collaborating Center, define the role and responsibilities of a center.

1. To serve as a center of excellence for WHO to support research and the implementation of research findings in patient safety, healthcare technology, and risk management.
   
2. To establish and coordinate the medical device safety program consisting of (a) the establishment of a centralized database reporting system for medical device adverse events and near misses from countries, (b) the analysis of such reports, (c) the issuance of recommendations and safe practices for preventing such problems, and (d) the promotion of the program to countries.
   
3. In order to enhance information exchange on medical device safety, procurement and management. to develop, maintain, and promulgate in various languages, a universal medical device nomenclature system (UMDNS™) and grant WHO rights to use such system.
   
4. To provide training programs in technology assessment, planning, procurement, and management of medical equipment; and in related application of information and software.
   
5. To support ongoing global harmonization and patient safety efforts by providing on-site technical assistance and consultation support in its areas of expertise to ministries of health, national regulatory authorities, non-governmental organizations, and healthcare and academic institutions.
   
6. To further develop, expand, and maintain its library and information resources and continue to serve as the worldwide WHO Healthcare Technology Archives and to facilitate public access to these resources.
   
7. To identify and disseminate healthcare standards and guidelines and facilitate worldwide accessibility by serving as the WHO Healthcare Standards and Guidelines Archives.
   
8. To serve as an information clearinghouse and provide advisory services and technical support on patient safety, risk management and health care technology for various levels.