What is a sentinel event in a nursing home?

Serious injuries related to falls in nursing homes are actually called "Never" events--i.e. they are preventable and should never happen if adequate precautions are taken by the nursing home staff.

For that reason, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have required nursing homes to report these events so that the Centers can assess whether the nursing home should receive federal reimbursement for services rendered to the resident. Other "never" events include Stage III and Stage IV bedsores.

Amber M. Tham, Esq.

Lanzone Morgan, LLP

1-888-887-9777