Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) Practice Test

What are Serious Reportable Events also known as?

1. Minor incidents

2. Sentinel events

3. Routine occurrences

4. Quality indicators

The correct answer is: Sentinel events

Serious Reportable Events are also known as sentinel events. This term refers to unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof, that signals the need for immediate investigation and response. Sentinel events are significant because they often represent a failure in the healthcare system that could lead to significant harm or death. The concept of sentinel events emphasizes the importance of system improvements to prevent their recurrence and improve patient safety. Each sentinel event triggers a thorough review process to identify underlying issues and implement corrective actions. Other terms, such as minor incidents, routine occurrences, or quality indicators, do not capture the critical nature and potential severity associated with serious reportable events and their implications for patient safety and healthcare quality. These terms can imply less severe incidents or refer to metrics that are used to measure healthcare quality but do not indicate the same immediate concern for systemic failures as sentinel events do. Understanding that Serious Reportable Events and sentinel events are aligned reinforces the need for vigilance and proactive measures in healthcare settings.