1 in 10 Patients are Harmed During Their Medical Care
Will AI decrease the number of patients harmed, or will we see a rapid increase?
By the Numbers
In the USA, well over 245,000 people die each year each due to preventable medical error.
Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US, killing more people every year than diabetes, liver disease, and COVID-19 combined.
Misdiagnosis is highly prevalent. Studies have shown up to 62% of patients are not properly diagnosed for some conditions. (Newman-Toker et al 2020)
The OECD estimates that the cost of unsafe health care is 13% of total healthcare spend in developed countries - or over $636 billion dollars in the USA alone very year. (OECD 2022)
When You Need Care Most, Your Safety Should Not be a Gamble
At some point, nearly every one of us will be a patient—and we will rely on the healthcare system for those we love. Yet preventable harm remains far too common: infections, medication mistakes, missed diagnoses, and breakdowns in communication occur more frequently than you may think.
These failures aren’t because clinicians don’t care—they happen because healthcare is complex, overloaded, and vulnerable to human and system error.
Now, as hospitals rapidly adopt new technologies like AI, the stakes are rising. If AI is introduced without rigorous safety standards, monitoring, and human oversight, it can create new risks—and amplify old ones—affecting patients at a scale we’ve never seen before.
AI Is Here:
Will it Make Care Safer?
or More Dangerous?
AI has enormous potential to improve patient safety and care—but if it is deployed irresponsibly, it can amplify existing risks and harm patients at scale.
AI systems can be wrong, biased, outdated, or overly confident, and their failures may be difficult for clinicians to detect in the moment. Even small errors can cascade into harmful decisions: missed warning signs, unsafe medication choices, delayed escalation, or flawed triage. Poorly designed AI can also increase workload, distract attention, and erode clinical judgment over time through automation bias.
At BRITE Institute, we support AI that improves care and protects patients—while working to prevent unsafe systems from putting patients at risk.
Want to Help Fix This?
BRITE Institute, Uniting Leaders and Technology for Safe, Reliable Healthcare
Solving this crisis requires uniting healthcare leaders and technology deveopment in the mission of improving patient care.
BRITE Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit. We utilize scientific research, engineering, and education to address the root causes of poor patient safety and care. We work with both technology developers, healthcare leaders, clinicians, and patients
Our Mission
BRITE Institute’s mission is to improve patient safety and quality of care by identifying what drives preventable harm—and delivering practical, scalable solutions that work in real clinical settings.
We use the the ibex, a majestic animal able to navigate the steepest and most dangerous cliffs with the greatest ease, to visualize our mission: providing patients safe passage through their medical journey.
Our Method
Our work begins with original scientific research. We rigorously investigate the root causes of unsafe practice, measure how and why failures occur, and test interventions designed to reduce risk, strengthen reliability, and protect patients.
We then translate research into impact through two complementary pathways. First, we deliver education that equips clinicians, healthcare leaders, and decision-makers with the tools to recognize safety vulnerabilities, evaluate new technologies responsibly, and implement evidence-based improvements. Second, we advance technology—both by helping design safer systems and by advising the technology industry on how to develop and deploy AI in ways that enhance care without introducing new risks.
Research
We conduct scientific research to understand what is the root cause of patient harm and what interventions are most likely to succeed.
Educate
We teach decision makers, doctors, and healthcare leaders the importance of prioritizing patient safety and how to better manage risk.
Develop
We design and assist with the design of tools and technologies to improve patient safety and care.
Every Dollar Saves Lives - and That Life May be Your Own
Donating to patient safety is one of the highest-impact ways to save lives, as preventable harm in healthcare remains widespread. Strategic investment can help healthcare teams stop errors before patients are hurt.
Your donation may even end up saving your life or the life of a loved one.
Can't afford to donate? Explore non-monitory forms of giving:
Ways to giveCurrent Projects
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This project investigates how hierarchical structures suppress critical risk information—and designs new organizational models to ensure early warnings are heard and acted upon.
Generative artificial intelligence is shaping how people search for information and made decisions, including many decisions about risk. How can we safely and effectively utilize AI to help us assess these risks?
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequent questions we get asked. If you have a question and don't see the answer below, feel free to ask via our contact page.
What does BRITE Institute do?
BRITE Institute is a research and development nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science of risk. We conduct both basic and applied research. We also develop tools and technologies to improve risk management.
Is BRITE Institute a 501(c)(3) organization?
Yes, BRITE Institute is proud to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations to BRITE Institute are tax deductible.
What kind of research does BRITE Institute do?
Our research includes basic studies for understanding complex system risks and applied studies for developing effective risk management technologies.
Why should we trust BRITE Institute?
As a public charity, we believe we need to go above and beyond to earn and keep your trust. We have adopted a four pillar framework which goes far above and beyond what is required by law. Our four pillars of integrity are: independent audits, transparency, expert oversight, and compliance These pillars guide our operations and are central to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and effectiveness in our work. You can read more about our governance here.
How can I donate to BRITE Institute?
Donations are vital to our mission and operations. To support us financially, you can visit our website's donation page. Your contribution is greatly appreciated, and we take our responsibility to spend funds wisely seriously!
Is there a way I can support BRITE Institute if I cannot afford to make a donation?
There are many ways to support the BRITE Institute including volunteering, supporting our social media, and more. Visit our support page to learn more!
How can I contact BRITE Institute?
We welcome your queries and interest. You can reach out to us via email at info@briteinstitute.org or through our website's contact page.
Where are you located?
BRITE Institute's headquarters is in Arizona, but we are a remote team with team members across the USA and the world. You can find more detailed information about our operations here and state specific donation disclosures here.