•PR: – Sentinel Event Policy Expanded Beyond Patients  [REF: JCCAP, JCSC, MDx,LDR, RNx] Perspectives December 2012, Pg 1, Vol 32, #12    [®]

In a true ‘Culture of Safety’ and under the principles of ‘High Reliability’, safety should be a concern for all the people in an organization; even those who may not be patients. For this reason, TJC has recently expanded its definition of reviewable sentinel events to include non-patients.  Effective July 1, 2013, reviewable invents include “Rape, assault (leading to death or permanent loss of function), or homicide of a staff member, licensed independent practitioner, visitor, or vendor while on site at the health care organization”.  Reviewable Event status means such incidents will require a root cause analysis and risk reducing actions as needed.  As with any reviewable SE, TJC encourages (but does not require) self-reporting.  However, if TJC becomes aware of such an event (no matter how they became aware of it and especially if it is within 1 year of the event), the organization must also share (through submission or 1 of the 4 alternatives provided in the SE Chapter of the Standards Manual.) The article also provides definitions for the terms sentinel event and ‘reviewable’.

TIP: Forward this review to key staff and update your SE Policy to reflect this change.  See also: Sentinel Event Policy and Procedures (BHC) (Hosp)