Sentinel event

Definition

A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. These events signal the need for immediate investigation and response.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sentinel events require immediate reporting to hospital administration and often trigger a root cause analysis.
2. Common examples include medication errors, surgical errors, and patient suicides within healthcare facilities.
3. The Joint Commission mandates that accredited organizations report sentinel events.
4. Preventative measures following a sentinel event aim to improve patient safety and prevent future incidents.
5. Sentinel events can lead to legal consequences, regulatory scrutiny, and significant impact on healthcare providers' reputations.

Review Questions

• What actions must be taken immediately after a sentinel event occurs?
• List three common examples of sentinel events in healthcare settings.
• Why are sentinel events required to be reported by The Joint Commission?

Related terms

Root Cause Analysis: A systematic process for identifying the fundamental causes of errors or problems.

Near Miss: An incident that could have resulted in harm but did not, either by chance or through timely intervention.

Adverse Drug Event (ADE): An injury resulting from medical intervention related to a drug.