In: Operations Management
A sentinel event is an unexpected event in a health care setting that involves either death or a serious injury (either physical or psychological) or the risk thereof. These events are unanticipated events and are not related to the natural course of a patient’s illness.
Three examples of sentinel events are described below:
1. Discharge of an infant to the wrong family – This will usually involve a psychological risk and danger to the infant and the parents of the infant. This is a patient protection event.
2. Rape, assault, or homicide of a staff member or a licensed independent practitioner or a visitor at the health care organization – This will usually lead to both physical as well as psychological risks. This is a criminal event.
3. Abduction of any patient receiving treatment and health care services - This will usually involves a psychological risk as well as physical risks (as the treatment will stop). This, also, is a criminal event.
The above three examples are sentinel events because they will need immediate investigation and response.