Which of the following is an example of a reviewable sentinel event?

A reviewable sentinel event is defined as a significant and often unexpected occurrence that results in death or serious physical or psychological injury to a patient. One key characteristic of a sentinel event is that they signal the need for immediate investigation and response to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.

The incident of infant abduction is a clear example of a sentinel event because it directly involves the safety of vulnerable patients—infants—and results in a severe compromise of their welfare. The ramifications of such an event are profound, necessitating a thorough review of policies, procedures, and security measures within a healthcare facility to prevent reoccurrence.

In contrast, while hospital-acquired infections, incidences of unruly patients, and blood transfusion reactions are serious occurrences and may also require review, they do not qualify as sentinel events under the same strict criteria. Hospital-acquired infections, although significant, are common and generally fall under different protocols for monitoring and quality improvement rather than being classified as sentinel events. An unruly patient typically indicates management challenges rather than a failure in patient safety protocols, and blood transfusion reactions are often understood risks that are managed through established procedures, focusing on patient safety but not directly qualifying as sentinel events unless they lead to severe outcomes.