Board To Review Modifications To Sentinel Event Procedures

At its April 24-25 meeting, the Joint Commission's Board of Commissioners will address modifications to the procedures relating to implementation of the Sentinel Event Policy. Specifically, the board will determine whether an organization which fails to report a sentinel event within the specified time frame (within five days of its occurrence or five days of learning of the occurrence) should nevertheless be provided 30 days from the occurrence or its discovery in which to perform a root cause analysis before becoming at risk for being placed on Accreditation Watch. Second, the board will review a revised definition and specific examples of what constitutes a "reportable" sentinel event. Between April 1 and April 25, the Joint Commission will not place any organization on Accreditation Watch simply for failure to report a sentinel event.

Hotline Service Begins April 1

Effective April 1, a Sentinel Event Hotline will be offered through the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring. The number will be (630)792-3700.

Through this one number, customers will be provided several options relating to sentinel events, including:

• To speak with a member of the Joint Commission staff regarding the Sentinel Event Policy
• To request a sentinel event reporting form
• To receive an update on the status of a current sentinel event report

The hotline will be staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Please route this issue to appropriate staff within your organization. Sentinel Event Alert may only be reproduced in its entirety and credited to The Joint Commission.