The #1 Patient Safety Concern in 2025: Risks of Dismissing Patient, Family, and Caregiver Concerns

Date published: March 20, 2025

In its recent special report, the ECRI Institute identified the dismissal of patient, family, and caregiver concerns as the #1 patient safety concern for 2025. This finding underscores a critical issue in healthcare: the failure to listen to and act on the voices of those most intimately involved in a patient’s care. While healthcare systems have made significant strides in improving safety protocols, technology, and clinical practices, the human element, listening, empathy, and collaboration—remains a cornerstone of patient safety.

This article explores why dismissing concerns is so dangerous, how it impacts patient safety, and what healthcare organizations can do to address this pervasive issue.

The Importance of Listening in Healthcare

At its core, healthcare is a partnership between patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Patients and their families are often the first to notice subtle changes in a patient’s condition, express concerns about treatment plans, or raise questions about potential risks. Caregivers, too, bring valuable insights, as they are often deeply familiar with the patient’s needs, preferences, and baseline health status.

When these voices are dismissed, ignored, or undervalued, the consequences can be dire. Missed warning signs, delayed diagnoses, medication errors, and preventable harm are just a few of the potential outcomes. Listening to patients and their advocates is not just a matter of courtesy—it is a critical component of safe, effective, and patient-centered care.

Why Are Concerns Dismissed?

Despite the best intentions of healthcare providers, concerns are often dismissed for a variety of reasons:

Time Pressures: In fast-paced healthcare environments, providers may feel they don’t have the time to fully engage with patients or families. This can lead to rushed conversations and missed opportunities to address concerns.

Cognitive Bias: Providers may unconsciously dismiss concerns due to biases, such as assuming a patient’s symptoms are psychosomatic or attributing caregiver concerns to overprotectiveness.

Hierarchical Culture: In some healthcare settings, a hierarchical culture may discourage patients, families, or even junior staff from speaking up. This can create an environment where concerns are not voiced or are not taken seriously.

Communication Barriers: Language differences, health literacy challenges, and cultural misunderstandings can all contribute to the dismissal of concerns.

Overreliance on Technology: While technology has revolutionized healthcare, an overreliance on data and diagnostic tools can sometimes lead providers to discount the subjective experiences of patients and caregivers.

The Impact on Patient Safety

The dismissal of concerns can have far-reaching consequences for patient safety. Some of the most significant risks include:

Delayed Diagnoses: Patients and families often notice early warning signs that may not be immediately apparent to providers. Ignoring these observations can delay critical diagnoses and interventions.

Medication Errors: Caregivers frequently play a key role in managing medications. Their concerns about dosages, side effects, or potential interactions should be taken seriously to prevent errors.

Preventable Harm: When concerns are dismissed, opportunities to prevent harm—such as falls, infections, or complications—are missed.

Erosion of Trust: Dismissing concerns damages the trust between patients, families, and providers. This can lead to reduced engagement, nonadherence to treatment plans, and poorer health outcomes.

Emotional and Psychological Harm: Beyond physical safety, dismissing concerns can cause emotional distress for patients and families, who may feel invalidated, powerless, or ignored.

Real-World Examples

The risks of dismissing concerns are not theoretical—they are borne out in real-world cases. Consider the following examples:

Missed Sepsis Diagnosis: A patient’s family repeatedly expressed concern about their loved one’s worsening condition, but their observations were dismissed as anxiety. The patient was later diagnosed with sepsis, a life-threatening condition, after critical time had been lost.

Medication Overdose: A caregiver questioned the dosage of a prescribed medication, but their concerns were dismissed. The patient suffered an overdose, leading to a prolonged hospital stay.

Post-Surgical Complications: A patient reported unusual pain and swelling after surgery, but their concerns were minimized. The delay in addressing these symptoms resulted in a serious infection.

These examples highlight the importance of listening to and acting on concerns to prevent harm and improve outcomes.

Strategies to Address the Issue

To address the risks of dismissing concerns, healthcare organizations must take a proactive, systemic approach. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Foster a Culture of Safety and Respect

Healthcare organizations must create a culture where all voices are valued and respected. This includes:

Encouraging patients, families, and caregivers to speak up without fear of judgment.

Training staff to actively listen and respond empathetically.

Empowering all team members, regardless of rank, to raise concerns.

2. Implement Structured Communication Tools

Structured communication tools, such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), can help standardize the way concerns are raised and addressed. These tools ensure that critical information is communicated clearly and effectively.

3. Provide Education and Training

Healthcare providers should receive training on:

Active listening and empathy.

Recognizing and addressing cognitive biases.

Communicating effectively with patients and families from diverse backgrounds.

4. Leverage Technology Thoughtfully

While technology is invaluable, it should complement—not replace—human interaction. Providers should balance data-driven decision-making with the insights and observations of patients and caregivers.

5. Measure and Monitor

Organizations should track metrics related to patient and family engagement, such as the frequency of concerns raised and how they are resolved. Regular feedback from patients and families can also help identify areas for improvement.

The Role of Leadership

Leadership plays a critical role in addressing this issue. Healthcare leaders must model the behaviors they want to see, such as active listening, empathy, and a commitment to patient-centered care. They must also allocate resources to support initiatives that prioritize patient and family engagement.

Conclusion

The ECRI Institute’s identification of the dismissal of patient, family, and caregiver concerns as the #1 patient safety concern is a wake-up call for the healthcare industry. Addressing this issue requires a cultural shift, systemic changes, and a renewed commitment to listening and collaboration.

By valuing the voices of patients, families, and caregivers, healthcare organizations can not only improve safety but also build trust, enhance outcomes, and deliver truly patient-centered care. In the end, listening is not just a skill—it is a responsibility that lies at the heart of safe and effective healthcare.

#PatientSafety #CaregiverSupport #Healthcare2025 #ListenToPatients #EmpathyInHealthcare

The #1 Patient Safety Concern in 2025: Risks of Dismissing Patient, Family, and Caregiver Concerns

Date published: March 20, 2025

In its recent special report, the ECRI Institute identified the dismissal of patient, family, and caregiver concerns as the #1 patient safety concern for 2025. This finding underscores a critical issue in healthcare: the failure to listen to and act on the voices of those most intimately involved in a patient’s care. While healthcare systems have made significant strides in improving safety protocols, technology, and clinical practices, the human element, listening, empathy, and collaboration—remains a cornerstone of patient safety.

This article explores why dismissing concerns is so dangerous, how it impacts patient safety, and what healthcare organizations can do to address this pervasive issue.

The Importance of Listening in Healthcare

Patient Safety Awareness Week is more than just a campaign; it is a movement to highlight the importance of safety in every aspect of healthcare. The complexity of modern healthcare has introduced new challenges, from increased patient acuity to the growing demands on healthcare systems. These challenges underscore the need for a dedicated focus on safety practices that protect patients and support healthcare professionals.

This year’s theme, “Moving the Needle,” reflects the urgency of making tangible progress in patient safety. It calls on healthcare organizations to evaluate their current practices, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies that lead to measurable outcomes.

By prioritizing patient safety, healthcare organizations can foster a culture of vigilance, accountability, and continuous improvement. This proactive approach aligns with the HRO framework, which emphasizes the importance of identifying risks and implementing strategies to prevent harm before it occurs.

Key Areas of Focus for Patient Safety

Despite the best intentions of healthcare providers, concerns are often dismissed for a variety of reasons:

Cognitive Bias: Providers may unconsciously dismiss concerns due to biases, such as assuming a patient’s symptoms are psychosomatic or attributing caregiver concerns to overprotectiveness.

Communication Barriers: Language differences, health literacy challenges, and cultural misunderstandings can all contribute to the dismissal of concerns.

Monitoring and Reporting

Collecting and analyzing data on safety incidents to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Establishing Standards

Developing and enforcing safety protocols to ensure consistency and quality across healthcare organizations.

Promoting Education

Providing training and resources to healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in patient safety.

Encouraging Transparency

Creating a culture where healthcare workers feel empowered to report errors and near-misses without fear of retribution.

Driving Innovation

Leveraging technology and research to implement cutting-edge solutions for patient safety challenges.