Pressure Injury Prevention in Long-Term Care Facilities
HW
Heritage Wound Care Team
Best Practices
July 18, 2025
8 min read
Heritage Wound Care Team
Best Practices
Pressure injuries remain one of the most preventable complications in long-term care settings. Through evidence-based protocols, proper staff training, and consistent implementation of prevention strategies, facilities can dramatically reduce pressure injury rates while improving resident comfort and quality of life.
Pressure injuries, formerly known as pressure ulcers or bedsores, develop when sustained pressure on the skin restricts blood flow to the tissue. This reduced circulation causes tissue damage that can range from superficial skin redness to deep wounds extending to muscle and bone.
In long-term care facilities, residents face multiple risk factors including limited mobility, poor nutrition, incontinence, and chronic health conditions. A comprehensive prevention program must address all these factors systematically.
Effective prevention begins with identifying at-risk residents. Use validated assessment tools such as the Braden Scale to evaluate risk factors including:
Turn immobile residents every 2 hours, using proper technique to minimize shear and friction.
Select appropriate mattresses and cushions based on individual risk assessment.
Ensure adequate protein, calories, and hydration for skin integrity and healing.
Maintain clean, dry skin with appropriate moisture barrier products.
Even the best protocols fail without proper staff training and consistent implementation. Heritage Wound Care offers complimentary educational programs tailored to your facility's needs, covering:
"Pressure injury prevention requires a facility-wide commitment. When everyone from nursing assistants to administrators understands the protocols and their importance, prevention rates improve dramatically."
Establish systems to track pressure injury incidence, analyze root causes when injuries occur, and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives. Regular audits of prevention protocols and staff competency assessments ensure sustained success in pressure injury prevention.
Learn how Heritage Wound Care can support your pressure injury prevention efforts with expert training and clinical support.
Share this article:
Tags: