The Joint Commission’s 2024 Sentinel Event Annual Review delivers an important reminder of the ongoing dangers lurking within our healthcare system. With a record number of 1,575 sentinel events—serious, often preventable medical errors—the report underscores how frequently patient safety is compromised, even in today’s advanced medical environment.
At Snyder & Wenner, P.C., we’ve been fighting for victims of medical malpractice in Phoenix and throughout Arizona for over 40 years. This new data confirms what we see every day: too many patients suffer life-changing injuries or death due to preventable medical negligence.
What Is a Sentinel Event—and Why It Matters in Arizona Medical Malpractice Cases
A sentinel event is defined as a serious patient safety incident that results in death, permanent harm, or severe injury. These events often indicate significant breakdowns in communication, protocol adherence, or clinical judgment.
Although reporting these incidents is voluntary, the Joint Commission’s annual data offers an eye-opening glimpse into the real risks patients face across the country—including in Phoenix hospitals and healthcare facilities. The voluntary reporting part is important because this means there are also hundreds of thousands of events that are not reported. As the top-ranked medical malpractice law firm in Arizona, Snyder & Wenner, P.C. uses this data to stay ahead of the most common forms of negligence in our clients’ cases.
The Most Frequent and Preventable Medical Errors in 2024
1. Patient Falls in Hospitals
Hospital falls were once again the most frequently reported sentinel event, with 776 reported in 2024—a 15% increase from 2023. These falls often occur due to staff negligence, poor risk assessments, or failure to follow basic fall-prevention protocols.
- 7% of falls resulted in death.
- 65% resulted in severe harm—such as brain injury or broken bones.
- The majority occurred among patients over 70 years old.
This kind of hospital negligence can often be avoided. At Snyder & Wenner, we’ve successfully represented Arizona clients in fall-related malpractice lawsuits, ensuring they receive compensation for the harm caused by inadequate care.
2. Wrong-Site and Wrong-Procedure Surgeries
There were 127 reports of wrong-site, wrong-procedure, or wrong-patient surgeries—one of the most shocking forms of medical malpractice. These surgical errors included operating on the wrong limb, extracting the wrong tooth, or implanting devices on the incorrect side of the body.
- 68% of these cases involved the wrong surgical site, often due to communication breakdowns or skipped timeouts.
- 51% resulted in severe harm—sometimes permanent.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of surgical malpractice in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, we can help. At Snyder & Wenner, we hold negligent surgeons and hospitals fully accountable.
3. Delay in Diagnosis or Treatment
Delayed medical care remains one of the deadliest types of malpractice. In 2024, 126 delays were reported—60% of which resulted in death. These delays often include:
- Failure to act on abnormal test results
- Failure to act on abnormal imaging results
- Failure to recognize deteriorating conditions
- Inadequate staffing or training
The unfortunate reality is that with more and more physician assistants and nurse practitioners taking over patient care in Arizona, these easily avoidable errors will continue to increase. This is particularly true in the emergency room, where PAs incorrectly think they can handle all patients and don’t ask from help from doctors. We’ve worked with many Arizona families devastated by a delayed infection diagnosis, sepsis, or stroke treatment. These delays can be fatal, and when caused by negligence, they warrant legal action.
4. Unintended Retention of Foreign Objects After Surgery
Retained surgical tools—such as sponges, clamps, or guidewires—were the subject of 119 reported sentinel events. These errors, which are always preventable, can cause infection, additional surgeries, and long-term complications.
If you underwent surgery in Phoenix and later learned that a surgical object was left behind, call Snyder & Wenner immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for surgical negligence.
Why Arizona Patients Trust Snyder & Wenner, P.C.
At Snyder & Wenner, P.C., we are proud to be recognized as Arizona’s best medical malpractice law firm. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients across Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, and statewide who were harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and healthcare systems.
Our deep experience with these practice areas means you can count on us for aggressive, compassionate legal representation:
- Wrongful death lawsuits
- Hospital negligence
- Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment
- Birth injury litigation
- And more
If You Suspect Medical Malpractice in Phoenix or Arizona, Call Us Today
If you or a loved one suffered serious harm due to wrong-site surgery, delayed diagnosis, hospital falls, or any form of negligent medical care in Arizona, you may have a legal claim.
📞 Call Snyder & Wenner, P.C. today at (602) 224-0005 or visit www.snyderwenner.com to schedule a free consultation with one of our medical malpractice attorneys in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Flagstaff.
Snyder & Wenner, P.C. — Arizona’s Premier Medical Malpractice Law Firm
