Which of the following is an expected outcome of the sentinel event policy?

The expected outcome of the sentinel event policy is enhanced knowledge regarding sentinel events. This policy is designed to identify, analyze, and learn from events that result in significant harm or risk to patients. By implementing such a policy, healthcare organizations foster a culture of safety that encourages staff to report incidents without fear of retribution. This leads to a better understanding of the causes and consequences of sentinel events, ultimately resulting in improved practices and protocols to mitigate future occurrences.

Enhanced knowledge enables healthcare professionals and executives to develop targeted training and education around patient safety, leading to continuous quality improvement within the organization. In contrast, other options do not align with the primary objectives of the sentinel event policy. For example, increased patient turnover may not directly relate to learning from sentinel events, improved staff efficiency might be a byproduct of the policy rather than a direct focus, and lower hospital accreditation standards would contradict the overarching goal of enhancing patient safety and care quality.