Sentinel Events

Sentinel events are unexpected incidents in healthcare that result in serious harm or death to a patient. They signal significant safety issues within a healthcare system. Examples include a patient undergoing the wrong procedure, dying from a medication error, or experiencing serious injury after a fall. When such events occur, hospitals and organizations are required to investigate thoroughly to understand the causes and prevent future occurrences. The term "sentinel" suggests that these events serve as warnings about potential risks in patient care, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and improved safety practices.