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Characterization of factors associated with sentinel events in patients undergoing non-operating room anesthesia at Centro Médico ABC
Characterization of factors associated with sentinel events in patients undergoing non-operating room anesthesia at Centro Médico ABC
Karen I. Lucio-Hernández 1, 2 
, Samantha A. Pierson-Ortega 1, 3 , Ziania H. González-Ignacio 1, 4 , Gerardo Cruz-Castañeda 1, 3 , Cristian I. Ham-Armenta 1, 5 , Horacio Olivares-Mendoza 1, 6
1 Departamento de Anestesiología, Centro Médico ABC, Ciudad de México, México; 2 Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México; 3 Escuela de Medicina, Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Ciudad de México, México; 4 Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Regional del Sureste, Oaxaca, Oax., México; 5 Faculta de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, B.C.N., México; 6 Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle, Ciudad de México, México
*Correspondence: Karen I. Lucio-Hernández. Email: karen.lucio0305@gmail.com
Abstract
Background: Sentinel events are critical indicators of patient safety, defined by the World Health Organization as unexpected incidents resulting in death, serious injury, or significant risk of harm. Non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) has increased in recent years due to minimally invasive procedures; however, it involves different structural and logistical conditions compared to the operating room, which are associated with a higher risk of complications. Objective: To identify and describe factors associated with sentinel events in patients undergoing NORA at Centro Médico ABC. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted by reviewing medical records of patients who underwent NORA. Demographic data, comorbidities, type of procedure, anesthetic technique, and occurrence of sentinel events were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine associations between variables and adverse outcomes. Results: Multiple factors were associated with sentinel events, including patient-related conditions, procedural complexity, and anesthetic technique. The most frequent complications were airway injuries, hemodynamic instability, and prolonged recovery. Conclusions: Sentinel events in NORA represent a growing challenge in modern anesthetic practice. Identifying risk factors, along with continuous training, adequate resource allocation, and protocol standardization, is essential to improve patient safety.
Keywords: Sentinel events. Anesthesia outside the operating room. Patient safety.
