What term is used to describe unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological injury or risk thereof?

The term that describes unexpected occurrences involving death, serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof is "sentinel event." This definition is recognized in the healthcare field, particularly by organizations like The Joint Commission, which delineates sentinel events as events that signal the need for immediate investigation and response. The term "sentinel" implies that these events serve as a warning or indicator of underlying issues within healthcare practices that must be addressed to improve safety and quality of care.

In identifying a sentinel event, it is crucial to recognize that these incidents are not only unexpected but also significant in terms of their implications for patient safety, highlighting a breach in the standard of care. Such occurrences can lead to deep investigations and organizational changes to prevent future incidents.

While the other terms, such as medical error, adverse event, and critical incident, relate to safety and quality in healthcare settings, they have different connotations and do not fully encapsulate the severity and impact of the criteria that define a sentinel event. Medical errors may contribute to adverse events but do not necessarily involve serious consequences. Adverse events refer to unintended injuries resulting from medical management rather than the underlying event itself. Critical incidents may be significant, but they do not have the same specific definition tied to death or