Leaders of the ECRI Recognized as Key Figures in Becker's List of Patient Safety Experts
ECRI Leads the Way in Advancing Healthcare Safety
ECRI, a global nonprofit organization, is at the forefront of enhancing healthcare safety and quality. Based in the United States, ECRI has labs located in North America and the Asia Pacific region, making it a truly international organization [1][4].
As a federally certified Patient Safety Organization by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ECRI plays a crucial role in improving patient safety. The organization's President and CEO, Dr. Marcus Schabacker, is a leading expert in patient safety, particularly advocating for the concept of Just Culture [1][2][3].
Under Dr. Schabacker's leadership, ECRI promotes evidence-based strategies to create a culture of safety where healthcare professionals can report and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution. This approach is designed to reduce harmful errors, as punitive responses to medical errors often drive errors underground and increase harm [1][2][3].
Shannon Davila, MSN, RN, CPPS, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC, serves as the Executive Director of Total Systems Safety at ECRI. Under her leadership, ECRI's database of safety incidents has grown to be the largest of its kind in the industry, with over 7 million events analyzed [5]. Davila has also spearheaded ECRI's focus on preventing medical gaslighting.
One of Davila's significant initiatives is the SALUTE program, designed to improve care for veterans [6]. Additionally, she leads one of the nation's largest patient safety organizations - the ECRI and ISMP PSO [7].
ECRI's work is respected and trusted by healthcare leaders and agencies worldwide. The organization serves more than 70 countries and is relied upon by two out of three healthcare providers in the U.S. and many more worldwide [8]. ECRI is also designated an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [9].
For more information about ECRI, please visit their website at www.ecri.org. If you have any questions or need further information, you can contact Yvonne Rhodes, ECRI's Director of Strategic Communications & Operations, at [email protected].
In 2020, ECRI acquired The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) to address medication errors [10]. In 2024, ECRI acquired The Just Culture Company to transform healthcare workplace cultures [11]. The same year, Shannon Davila led a falls prevention collaborative involving 40 hospitals [12].
Both Dr. Schabacker and Shannon Davila have been named to the Becker’s Hospital Review 2025 list of Patient Safety Experts to Know, highlighting their influence in shaping safer healthcare practices [4].
In summary:
- Current Role: President and CEO of ECRI, a nonprofit focused on healthcare safety [1][4].
- Key Contributions: Advocates for Just Culture to improve patient safety, emphasizing accountability over punishment to reduce harmful errors [1][2][3].
- Recognition: Named among top patient safety experts in 2025 by Becker’s Hospital Review [4].
References: [1] ECRI. (n.d.). About ECRI. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/about-ecri [2] Schabacker, M. (2020). The Dangers of Punitive Responses to Medical Errors. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/blog/the-dangers-of-punitive-responses-to-medical-errors [3] Schabacker, M. (2021). The Case for a Just Culture in Healthcare. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/blog/the-case-for-a-just-culture-in-healthcare [4] Becker's Hospital Review. (2025). 132 Patient Safety Experts to Know 2025. Retrieved from https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/132-patient-safety-experts-to-know-2025.html [5] ECRI. (n.d.). About ECRI's Safety Analysis Reporting System (SARS). Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/sars [6] ECRI. (n.d.). SALUTE Program. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/salute [7] ECRI. (n.d.). ECRI and ISMP PSO. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/ecri-ismp-pso [8] ECRI. (n.d.). About ECRI. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/about-ecri [9] Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Evidence-based Practice Centers. Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/evidence/epc/index.html [10] ECRI. (2020). ECRI Acquires The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/news/ecri-acquires-the-institute-for-safe-medication-practices-ismp [11] ECRI. (2024). ECRI Acquires The Just Culture Company. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/news/ecri-acquires-the-just-culture-company [12] ECRI. (2024). Shannon Davila Leads Falls Prevention Collaborative. Retrieved from https://www.ecri.org/news/shannon-davila-leads-falls-prevention-collaborative
- ECRI, a globally recognized organization, specializes in advancing healthcare safety and quality systems.
- Based on evidence-based strategies, ECRI fosters a culture of safety, encouraging healthcare professionals to report errors without fear of reprisal.
- Shannon Davila, a leading executive at ECRI, has been instrumental in growing their extensive database of safety incidents, currently with over 7 million analyzed events.
- Davila's initiatives at ECRI have extended to improving care for veterans and leading one of the nation's largest patient safety organizations.
- The SALUTE program, spearheaded by Shannon Davila, is designed to enhance care for veterans.
- ECRI's work in healthcare safety is respected worldwide, serving over 70 countries and two out of three healthcare providers in the U.S.
- In 2020, ECRI expanded its focus on medication errors by acquiring The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).
- In 2024, ECRI made another significant move by acquiring The Just Culture Company, aiming to transform healthcare workplace cultures.
