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A sentinel event is defined as an occurrence that results in significant harm or risk to a patient, thereby necessitating an immediate and thorough investigation. This concept emphasizes the seriousness of such events, which often indicate underlying issues in healthcare processes or systems that need to be addressed to improve patient safety and care quality. The immediate investigation is crucial for understanding the factors that led to the event, preventing recurrence, and enhancing overall healthcare practices.

In the context of patient care, sentinel events typically draw attention to systemic flaws that are not just isolated incidents but signal a potential need for broader changes within the organization. This could relate to areas like communication failures, policy adherence, or staff training and competencies.

Given these implications, it becomes clear why this option is the best representation of what characterizes a sentinel event, emphasizing the critical nature of the incident and the necessity of prompt action to mitigate risks to patient safety.

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