Change to reporting of mucosal pressure injuries under Section 31

Section 31(5) of the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 requires aged residential care providers, hospices and maternity services to report all pressure injuries to HealthCERT. Pressure injuries at stage 3 and above must be made on a separate notification form. From December 2020, this form has been updated to include mucosal pressure injuries.

Mucosal pressure injuries occur within a body opening, such as a nostril or the mouth. They are usually associated with pressure from a device, for example, an endotracheal or nasogastric tube.

Further information is available on the Ministry of Health website: www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/certification-health-care-services/information-providers-health-care-services/notifying-incident-under-section-31.