What is a sentinel event in healthcare?

A sentinel event in healthcare is defined as an event that signals the need for immediate investigation and response. It typically involves an unexpected occurrence that results in death or serious physical or psychological injury to a patient and indicates that there may be a fundamental problem with the healthcare delivery system. The purpose of identifying and reporting sentinel events is to improve patient safety and quality of care by prompting timely reviews and changes to prevent future incidents. This proactive approach ensures that healthcare organizations can learn from these events and implement necessary changes to systems and processes, ultimately enhancing the safety and quality of care provided to patients.

The correct answer highlights the urgent need for an investigation in response to sentinel events, distinguishing them from routine operational failures or minor incidents that do not require such immediate attention or significant systemic change.