of sentinel events are recorded and published by the FDA's MedWatch program. Advantages of reporting sentinel events to The Joint Commission are: Adding to the database with dissemination to other health care facilities, preventing other adverse events. Consultation with The Joint Commission on implementing the root cause analysis and action plan. Association with national accrediting body reassures the public that all steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence. Joint Commission actions After review of the accredited facility's report on the sentinel event, The Joint Commission issues an Official Accreditation Decision Report that may modify the organization's current accreditation status, assign an appropriate "measure of success", or a require follow-up survey within six months. A healthcare facility that fails to complete a root cause analysis of the sentinel event and action plan within the time frame can be placed on "Accreditation Watch" by the Joint Commission, a status that can be publicly disclosed . The Joint Commission disseminates "sentinel event alerts" identifying specific sentinel events, their underlying causes, and steps to prevent recurrence. Further nursing research is ongoing at a number of 'magnet' hospitals in the United States, especially to reduce the number of patient falls that may lead to sentinel events. References External links TJC Sentinel Events Policy and Procedure Healthcare in the United States Nursing in the United States