Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

What type of event does the Joint Commission require thorough root cause analysis for?

1. Medication errors.

2. Sentinel events.

3. Minor patient incidents.

4. Informed consent issues.

The correct answer is: Sentinel events.

The Joint Commission requires thorough root cause analysis specifically for sentinel events. Sentinel events are defined as unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, or the risk thereof. The significance of these events lies in their potential to indicate serious underlying problems within the healthcare system or processes. Conducting a root cause analysis for sentinel events is crucial as it helps organizations identify the factors that contributed to the event, thereby allowing them to implement strategies to prevent future incidents. This systematic investigation is essential for improving patient safety. While medication errors, minor patient incidents, and informed consent issues are important areas within patient safety, they do not require the same level of in-depth investigation as sentinel events, which represent the most severe risks to patient safety and quality of care.