What characterizes a sentinel event?

A sentinel event is characterized by resulting in severe harm or death to a patient. This term is used specifically in the context of patient safety and quality improvement within healthcare settings. Sentinel events are significant because they signal the need for immediate investigation and response to prevent future occurrences. The occurrence of such events often reflects a serious breakdown in processes, systems, or practices that are critical for patient safety.

This classification underscores the crucial nature of these events, as they highlight the potential risks within healthcare systems and the importance of implementing safety protocols and monitoring systems to mitigate harm. The emphasis is on severe outcomes, which raises alarms within healthcare organizations and prompts an urgent need for review and reform to safely manage care delivery.

In contrast, while events that cause moderate harm can also be concerning, they do not meet the criteria established for sentinel events. Additionally, sentinel events might often be reported as avoidable, but the defining feature remains their connection to severe consequences. While certain types of adverse events may frequently happen across hospitals, not all of them qualify as sentinel events unless they lead to severe harm or death.