Jewish Healthcare Foundation Releases Report on Self-Directed Patient Safety Technology

New Report Explores Consumer-Driven Technologies as a Path to Safer, More Efficient Health Care

PITTSBURGH, PA — The technology exists for patients and families to prevent a medication error, understand what symptoms present a potentially serious condition, avoid an emergency room or hospital visit, schedule an appointment with a local specialist of high quality—all from their phone or wearable device. In a new report released today by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF), the opportunities are clear for individuals and families to play a more active role in protecting their health through emerging technologies and digital tools.

The report, Self-Directed Patient Safety: Mapping the Emerging Landscape of Consumer-Facing Innovation, developed in partnership with TEConomy Partners, LLC, comes at a critical time: medical errors remain the third leading cause of death in the United States, healthcare spending continues to rise faster than the economy, and chronic illness affects six in ten Americans. Amid these unsustainable trends, JHF’s new report identifies self-directed patient safety—the empowerment of patients to prevent harm and manage care through direct-to-consumer technologies—as a promising strategy for improving outcomes while reducing costs.

“This is a generational opportunity to rethink how we approach patient safety,” said Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, President and CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative. “By putting modern tools directly in patients’ hands—like AI-powered symptom checkers, smart medication dispensers, and remote monitoring devices—we can shift from a reactive system to one focused on prevention, engagement, and shared responsibility.”

She continues, “Over a decade ago, our Foundation identified four interventions that would dramatically reduce hospitalizations: managing chronic conditions in the community, greater medication scrutiny, addressing behavioral health issues as early as possible, and engaging patients in advancing their health. The first three have gotten more attention; patient engagement remains a promising but underdeveloped opportunity.”

The report explores five key areas where preventable harm often occurs—medication errors, patient care errors, diagnostic errors, infection errors, and surgical errors—and showcases timely innovations across these domains. It also outlines the market forces, regulatory barriers, and investment trends shaping the future of self-directed safety.

Key findings include:

• Growing innovation and venture capital activity in consumer health tech, particularly in AI-driven health IT and digital platforms.
• Notable solutions are being developed to support high-risk groups such as aging adults, new parents, individuals with chronic diseases, and rare disease patients.
• Significant regulatory and economic challenges slowing adoption of direct-to-consumer safety tools—yet also opportunities for leadership in regions like Pittsburgh, which combine world-class health care with technology innovation.

The report’s release supports JHF’s broader mission to advance patient safety and innovation in health care. It aligns closely with recent priorities from the CMS Innovation Center, including empowering people to achieve health goals, encouraging evidence-based prevention, and leveraging technology to improve care delivery.

“As the healthcare system faces unprecedented financial and human pressures, self-directed safety is a scalable, patient-centered solution,” added Dr. Feinstein. “We hope this report sparks new partnerships, policies, and products that empower people to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The full report is available here.

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Available for Interviews: Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, President and CEO, Jewish Healthcare Foundation