What are errors in medical care that are clearly identifiable, preventable, and serious in consequences called?

The term that best fits the description of errors in medical care that are clearly identifiable, preventable, and serious in consequences is "Never events or Sentinel events." This terminology is specifically used in healthcare settings to label severe errors that should never occur and typically indicate a major breach in quality of care.

These events are critical because they represent fundamental failures in safety protocols that can lead to significant harm to patients, such as performing surgery on the wrong body part or leaving surgical instruments inside a patient after a procedure. The identification of such events helps healthcare organizations focus on enhancing their safety measures and preventing future occurrences, thereby improving overall patient safety.

In contrast, misadventures refer to complications that occur during a procedure but do not necessarily fall under the category of errors. Adverse preventable events are similar but may not cover the full scope of serious consequences defined by never events. Potential compensable events may refer to incidents that could lead to legal liability or compensation claims but do not specifically address the severity and nature of preventable errors as defined by the term "Never events."