Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A sentinel event is characterized by events that result in serious injury or death to a patient. This definition is rooted in the understanding that sentinel events signal the need for immediate investigation and response, as they often indicate significant issues within healthcare processes or systems that can compromise patient safety. The focus on serious outcomes makes these events critical for healthcare organizations to address, as they provide opportunities for learning and improving practices to prevent future occurrences.

In contrast, routine administrative errors and minor patient complaints do not carry the weight of serious consequences typically associated with sentinel events. Near-miss incidents, while significant in their own right, do not result in actual harm, which distinguishes them from sentinel events. Therefore, identifying an event that leads to severe harm or fatality is what clearly defines a sentinel event in the context of patient safety and healthcare quality improvement initiatives.