The data was collected over a fifteen-year period from 1995-2010. Results from the data collection on sentinel events include the following:
• The Joint Commission reviewed a total of 7,391 sentinel events.
• From 2004-2010, hospitals experienced 3,097 sentinel events, compared to ambulatory surgery centers, which experienced 189 sentinel events.
• From 2004-2010, falls, medication errors, medical equipment-related incidents, op/post-op complications, unintended retention of a foreign body and suicide were among the highest categories for sentinel events.
Read the data summary on sentinel events (pdf).
Read other coverage about adverse events:
– 10 Patient Safety Tips for Hospitals and Other Providers
