What characterizes non-reviewable sentinel events?

The characterization of non-reviewable sentinel events as including near miss incidents that have not affected the recipient of care reflects an understanding of the nature of these events. Non-reviewable sentinel events are typically incidents that do not result in actual harm to the patient; they are situations that nearly led to harm but did not result in an adverse outcome. By focusing on near misses, these events highlight issues in practice that warrant attention but do not necessitate the same level of review and response as incidents that caused actual harm.

This distinction is important because it allows healthcare organizations to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in patient safety systems without engaging in the formal review processes applied to serious incidents that result in patient harm. Such near misses can provide valuable insights into processes and protocols and help improve patient safety through preventive measures.