Joint Commission posts sentinel event stats for first half of 2017

Editor's Note

The Joint Commission on September 20 posted sentinel event statistics from its database through June 30, 2017.

Of the top 10 most frequently reported sentinel events during this time period:

• Falls topped the list with 49 events.
• Unintended retention of a foreign object was 3rd with 41 events.
• Wrong patient, wrong site, or wrong procedure was 4th with 35 events.
• Operative/postoperative complication was 10th with 12 events.

The Joint Commission reviewed 400 sentinel events during the first 6 months of 2017, and the majority (354) were voluntarily reported by an accredited or certified entity.