A medical error that had the potential to cause harm but did not due to timely intervention is referred to as a(n) _____.

A medical error that had the potential to result in harm but ultimately did not lead to any negative consequences due to swift intervention is classified as a near miss. This term underscores the importance of recognizing incidents that could have potentially led to adverse outcomes but were prevented by circumstances, safety protocols, or immediate corrective actions.

Understanding near misses is crucial in healthcare settings, as they provide valuable insights into the vulnerabilities within a system and can help healthcare professionals identify areas for improvement. By analyzing these incidents, organizations can implement changes to prevent future errors that might result in harm, ultimately enhancing patient safety.

Sentinel events, on the other hand, refer to unexpected events resulting in death or serious physical or psychological injury, which are outside the range of normal operations. Adverse events generally refer to incidents that do lead to harm, regardless of intent or intervention. Minor incidents typically refer to those that do not have significant implications for patient safety. Each of these terms highlights different aspects of patient safety and error management in healthcare.