Safe home healthcare: Addressing risks in home medical device use (ECRI, 21 January 2025)

Summary

Healthcare at home has become an increasingly popular alternative to hospital-based treatment, offering patients the comfort and convenience of receiving care in familiar surroundings. However, while the home care model presents clear benefits, it also brings about unique challenges—especially when patients or their family members are tasked with operating complex medical devices. These devices, such as ventilators, haemodialysis machines, and infusion pumps, have traditionally been used in acute care settings, where healthcare professionals provide continuous oversight. With such devices increasingly being used in the home, the need for appropriate selection, management, and use of those technologies is becoming more critical.

One of the most significant concerns associated with home healthcare is the potential for preventable harm due to improper use or malfunction of medical devices. As highlighted in ECRI’s annual Top 10 list of healthcare hazards, improper setup and management of these technologies, particularly by lay users, can result in delayed or inaccurate care, with serious consequences for patient health. This year, ECRI has expanded the discussion of this issue to explore in greater detail the risks associated with home use of complex medical devices.