Which term refers to unexpected occurrences that result in death or serious harm?

The term that refers to unexpected occurrences resulting in death or serious harm is "sentinel event." This term is specifically utilized in healthcare to identify incidents that not only indicate a serious safety issue but also warrant immediate investigation and response due to their severity. Sentinel events serve as critical signals indicating potential flaws in healthcare processes, making them essential to quality and performance improvement initiatives. By thoroughly analyzing sentinel events, healthcare organizations can understand underlying problems and implement systemic changes to prevent future occurrences, ultimately enhancing patient safety.

Although clinical incidents can encompass a range of adverse events or near misses, sentinel events are distinct in their focus on severe outcomes. Near misses, meanwhile, describe incidents that could have led to harm but did not, allowing for proactive measures to be taken without the occurrence of serious consequences. A quality breach refers to failures in meeting established standards of care but does not specifically denote the severity associated with sentinel events. Thus, the definition and implication of sentinel events position it as the correct term for the question concerning severe unexpected occurrences in healthcare.