Mismatches of medical device connectors are known factors in therapeutic agent administration failures, despite efforts to redesign equipment and minimize their occurrence. This series of case studies drawn from reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration illustrates a variety of misconnection scenarios to demonstrate situations that have a range of potential for patient harm.

Technologies both advance and challenge care safety. This article summarizes an annual analysis spotlighting health technology that may contribute to patient harm. Issues with home-based tools and single-use devices were underscored as priorities for improvement by both care organizations and equipment manufacturers.

Bedrails are used in hospitals and at home to minimize falls despite the potential to contribute to patient harm. This news article summarizes a government recall of ten models of home bed rail devices due to entrapment incidents.

The challenge of medical device sterilization has shifted the design of some products with disposable elements in order to reduce opportunities for human error that increase infection potential during reuse. The publication supports the complete adoption of disposable duodenoscopes or scope components as a safety measure.

This article highlights systems influences that detract from the effectiveness of current methods of reporting recalled unsafe medical devices and raising awareness of recalls for clinicians, patients and families. Challenges highlighted include the use of paper-based notification systems and data reporting delays.

Delays in treatment due to device misuse or design flaws can result in patient harm. This recall announcement highlights the omission of instructions describing a distinct device feature that, if a surgeon is unaware of it, reduces emergent umbilical vein catheter placement safety. Two deaths have been reported due to problems with the device.

This announcement seeks to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with the use of robotic-assisted surgical devices in mastectomies or cancer-related care. Recommendations for patients who may seek to have robotically assisted surgery include asking about their surgeon's experience with these procedures and discussing benefits, risks, and alternatives regarding available treatment options with their health care provider. Suggestions for health care providers include completing specialized training on procedures they perform. A WebM&M commentary described the challenges and benefits associated with robotic surgery.

Incomplete reprocessing of reusable flexible endoscopes can result in nosocomial infection. This announcement highlights recent guidance to improve the safe reuse of bronchoscopes with a focus on scope design, sterile processing, and infection control program management.

Implicit biases are known to affect the safety of health care. This analysis of the National Health Service (NHS) found weaknesses in NHS’ consideration of and response to women’s medication and medical device concerns. Among the recommendations submitted to improve patient centeredness and respect for patients are the establishment of central yet independent authority to serve as the conduit to address patient concerns and improve system safety accountability.