Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPHIMS Practice Questions and Study Guide

A sentinel event in healthcare refers to an unexpected occurrence that results in death or serious physical or psychological harm to a patient. It signals the need for immediate investigation and response, often indicating that something has gone wrong in the healthcare process that requires attention. Medical errors are significant examples of sentinel events because they can lead to serious patient outcomes, including harm or death, thereby triggering a review process to prevent future occurrences.

While public safety alerts, local disasters, and epidemics can certainly impact healthcare delivery, they do not fit the specific definition of a sentinel event, which is closely tied to individual patient safety and care quality within a healthcare setting.