Joint Commission updates sentinel event stats

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission announced February 22 that it had updated its sentinel event statistics through the end of 2016.

Of 824 events reviewed, unintended retention of a foreign object topped the list at 120. Wrong-patient, wrong-site, or wrong-procedure was second at 104 events, and operative/postoperative complication was seventh at 45.

Data reviewed from 2005 through 2016 showed that a total of 10,330 patients have been affected by these events, with 53.6% resulting in death, 8% resulting in permanent loss of function, and 29.6% resulting in additional care and/or psychological impact.

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