What are "sentinel events" in healthcare?

Sentinel events are significant incidents in healthcare that result in severe physical or psychological injury, or present a substantial risk of such harm. These events are critical to patient safety as they typically highlight flaws in care processes and systems. For example, a sentinel event may include incidents such as surgical errors, patient falls resulting in injury, or medication errors that lead to serious harm.

Recognizing and addressing sentinel events is vital, as they are indicators of systemic problems that can be corrected to prevent future occurrences. This aligns with the focus on continuous quality improvement in healthcare, where learning from such incidents can enhance the safety and quality of patient care.

The other options do not adequately describe sentinel events. Unpredictable patient discharges and minor complaints do not typically indicate serious harm or risk, while routine scheduled procedures do not involve the unexpected or severe incidents that characterize sentinel events. Understanding these definitions helps healthcare professionals respond effectively and implement preventive measures.