The Last Straw: Healthcare Facilities, Risk Management Organizations & Insurance Companies Need to Revolt Over US Pressure Injury Policy
Summary: Dr. Caroline Fife strongly criticizes current US pressure injury policy, particularly the NQF Serious Reportable Events (SRE) list and Joint Commission alignment. She argues that classifying most Stage 3 and 4 pressure injuries (and unstageable/DTIs) as “never events” ignores medical reality in critically ill patients. With the broadened 2016 staging definitions, many minor ulcers are now labeled Stage 3, fueling lawsuits and massive financial burdens on hospitals. She urges facilities, risk managers, and insurers to organize and advocate for evidence-based policy changes.
Key Highlights:
- Stage 3+ pressure injuries are now often treated as sentinel events regardless of preventability
- Policy fails to account for medically unavoidable ulcers in unstable/critically ill patients
- Calls for unified pushback from healthcare organizations and insurers
- Author: Caroline Fife, MD
Keywords: pressure injury policy, Caroline Fife, never events