Sentinel Event Investigation Checklist
Comprehensive sentinel event investigation process including root cause analysis, corrective action development, and effectiveness monitoring.
- Industry: Healthcare
- Frequency: Per event
- Estimated Time: 4-8 hours
- Role: Risk Management/Quality
- Total Items: 29
- Compliance: Joint Commission SE Policy, CMS CoP, State Reporting Requirements
Immediate Response
Initial actions
- Patient stabilized/care provided?
- Scene/evidence preserved?
- Leadership notified?
- Family notified?
Event Documentation
Initial documentation
- Timeline of events created?
- Witnesses identified?
- Medical records preserved?
Root Cause Analysis
RCA methodology
- RCA team assembled?
- Structured RCA methodology used?
- Root cause(s) identified?
- Contributing factors documented?
Action Plan
Corrective actions
- Corrective actions identified?
- Responsibilities assigned?
- Implementation timelines established?
- Effectiveness measures defined?
Pre-Assessment Information
Initial assessment documentation and patient/facility identification
- Assessor Name / Credentials
- Assessment Date
- Department / Unit
- Assessment Type (Routine/Annual/Complaint)
- Previous assessment findings reviewed?
Infection Prevention & Control
Verify infection control practices per CDC and Joint Commission standards
- Hand hygiene compliance observed?
- Appropriate PPE available and properly used?
- Isolation precautions properly implemented?
- Sharps containers available and not overfilled?
- High-touch surfaces properly disinfected?
Patient Safety & Identification
Verify patient safety protocols and identification procedures
- Two patient identifiers used before procedures?
- Fall risk assessment completed?
- Call light within patient reach?
- Bed in lowest position with brakes locked?
Related Healthcare Checklists
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- Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicator Data Collection Checklist
- Quality Improvement Project Plan Checklist
- Clinical Documentation Improvement Checklist
- Medication Refrigerator Temperature Log Checklist
- High-Alert Medication Dispensing Checklist
- Labor & Delivery Admission Assessment Checklist
- Operating Room Count Verification Checklist
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Why Use This Sentinel Event Investigation Checklist?
This sentinel event investigation checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for risk management/quality professionals, this checklist covers 29 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Ensures compliance with Joint Commission SE Policy, CMS CoP, State Reporting Requirements. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Sentinel Event Investigation Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 29 inspection items across 7 sections: Immediate Response, Event Documentation, Root Cause Analysis, Action Plan, Pre-Assessment Information, Infection Prevention & Control, Patient Safety & Identification. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 4-8 hours.
Who should use this Sentinel Event Investigation Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Risk Management/Quality professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.