What incident should be reported to The Joint Commission?

Reporting a sentinel event to The Joint Commission is crucial because sentinel events are unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. The Joint Commission defines a sentinel event as an incident that signals the need for immediate investigation and response. They aim to improve patient safety by analyzing these events to prevent their recurrence and enhance the quality of care provided in healthcare facilities.

While other incidents, such as needlestick injuries, breaches of confidentiality, and exposures to blood-borne pathogens, are also serious and warrant internal reporting and investigation, they do not fall under the specific category of sentinel events as established by The Joint Commission. Sentinel events carry a greater implication as they indicate systemic issues within a healthcare institution that must be addressed to ensure patient safety and care quality. Thus, prioritizing the reporting of such events helps healthcare facilities comply with safety standards and improve their practices effectively.