Medical Device Safety: How Can You Make a Difference?

A lab webcast

March 16, 2022 | 12:00 p.m. ET

Overview

ECRI was founded in part to improve the safety of medical devices. One of the most important sources of data for these improvements has always been device problem reports we have received from users. Every report we receive is investigated and, if necessary, we publish recommendations to help healthcare providers reduce the risk of future occurrence. But do you know how the investigation process works – and how you can be part of it?

Join us for this live lab webcast to learn more about how problem reporting and ECRI’s independent medical device testing process work together, and how your role as a device user can impact safe healthcare delivery.

Learning objectives

During this session, we'll discuss:

  • ECRI’s device reporting system for problems and hazards – what it is and how it works
  • Who should report a problem?
  • Increasing assurance through practical recommendations
  • Insight from engineers who performed recent investigations – what they found and what happens next

Agenda & Speakers

Jason Launders

Director of Operations, Device Evaluation, ECRI
Jason Launders has been at ECRI since 1998 and is currently the Director of Operations for the Device Evaluation group. Jason’s primary responsibility is managing ECRI’s laboratory based evaluations of medical technologies. Jason has an MSc in Medical Physics and spent his earlier time at ECRI evaluating a wide range of diagnostic imaging technology, such as: CT, MRI, PACS, and Digital Radiography. Today, he is responsible for developing the content of evaluations to ensure they meet the needs of our members.

Patrice Hughes

Senior Project Officer, Coordinator of ECRI Problem Reporting System, Device Evaluation

Patrice has been at ECRI since 1998 and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering. She is a principal investigator of various medical device problems reported to ECRI. She also coordinates investigation of device problems with ECRI staff, reporting facilities and device manufacturers. Patrice acts as a liaison for the Device Evaluation Team and ECRI’s Patient Safety Office. Prior to assuming the role of the Medical Device Problem Coordinator, Patrice conducted ventilator evaluations and accident investigations.

Erin Sparnon, MEng

Senior Engineering Manager, Device Evaluation, ECRI
Erin Sparnon leads a team of engineers in the testing and evaluation of medical devices as well as accident and forensic investigations involving device failures. She provides consulting services for hospitals and health systems and coordinates with ECRI's risk management, consulting, and patient safety departments to help shape electronic health records (EHR) and health information technology (HIT) initiatives.

Julie Miller, MS

Senior Project Engineer, Device Evaluation, ECRI
Julie has been at ECRI for eight years and specializes in the evaluation of surgical technologies. Recent evaluations include electrosurgical electrodes, surgical smoke evacuators, and powered and manual linear endoscopic surgical staplers. She has a Master’s degree in Bioengineering.