What is the difference between a sentinel event and a near-miss, and how should each be reported?

• A. Both are the same; neither need reporting
• B. Sentinel event is a near-miss; near-miss is always fatal; only sentinel events should be reported
• C. Sentinel event results in death or serious injury; near-miss is an error prevented; both should be reported and analyzed to prevent recurrence.
• D. Sentinel events are minor errors; near-misses require only internal review

Answer: (C)

Focus on how safety events differ by outcome and why reporting matters. A sentinel event is an incident that results in death or a serious injury to a patient, or places the patient at risk for such harm, and it typically triggers urgent investigation and formal reporting to leadership and appropriate regulatory bodies. A near-miss, however, is an error or lapse that could have harmed a patient but did not, either by luck or by timely intervention; it should still be reported and analyzed so system weaknesses can be identified and safeguards put in place to prevent recurrence. The essential idea is that both types inform improvements in safety, but sentinel events involve actual harm, while near-misses involve potential harm that was averted.