Pressure Injuries
Pressure injuries, also called bedsores or pressure ulcers, are among the most preventable yet challenging wounds in healthcare. They develop when prolonged pressure restricts blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues, causing damage that ranges from surface redness to deep wounds exposing muscle or bone. For patients with limited mobility—whether recovering from surgery, managing chronic illness, or requiring long-term care—pressure injuries pose a serious threat to health, comfort, and quality of life.
At Best Wound Care, we understand that pressure injuries require more than basic wound dressings. They demand expert assessment, specialized treatment protocols, and proactive prevention strategies to heal existing wounds and stop new ones from forming.
Understanding Pressure Injuries
Pressure injuries occur when sustained pressure—often combined with friction or shear forces—damages skin and tissue. Common sites include areas where bone is close to the skin surface: the tailbone, hips, heels, elbows, and shoulder blades.
Key Contributing Factors:
Immobility – Patients who cannot reposition themselves independently face the highest risk
Moisture – Incontinence, perspiration, or wound drainage weakens skin integrity
Poor Nutrition – Inadequate protein and nutrients impair the body's ability to maintain healthy tissue
Medical Conditions – Diabetes, vascular disease, and neurological conditions increase vulnerability
Friction and Shear – Sliding against sheets or being pulled during transfers damages delicate skin
Pressure injuries progress through stages, from Stage I (intact skin with non-blanchable redness) to Stage IV (full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone or muscle). Deep tissue injuries and unstageable wounds (obscured by eschar or slough) present additional complexity.
Our Approach to Pressure Injuries
Basic
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Intermediate
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Advanced
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Bronze
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Silver
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Gold
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Expert Assessment Our Nurse Practitioners conduct thorough evaluations to determine pressure injury stage, assess tissue viability, identify contributing factors, and develop individualized treatment plans. Accurate staging guides treatment selection and sets realistic healing expectations.
Advanced Wound Care We utilize evidence-based treatments tailored to each wound's characteristics:
Debridement to remove non-viable tissue and promote healthy granulation
Antimicrobial therapies when infection is present or suspected
Moisture-balancing dressings that protect the wound while managing drainage
Advanced biologic therapies for complex or non-healing pressure injuries
Pressure Relief and Repositioning Strategies Healing cannot occur without eliminating the pressure that caused the injury. We provide guidance on:
Optimal repositioning schedules
Proper body positioning techniques
Use of pressure-redistributing surfaces and cushions
Offloading strategies for specific wound locations
Nutritional Support Recommendations Adequate nutrition is critical for wound healing. We assess nutritional status and coordinate with your care team to ensure patients receive sufficient protein, calories, and micronutrients to support tissue repair.
Prevention of New Pressure Injuries Our proactive approach includes identifying patients at risk and implementing prevention strategies before new wounds develop.
What Successful Healing Looks Like
Healing timelines for pressure injuries vary based on wound severity, patient health, and adherence to pressure relief:
Stage I-II Pressure Injuries may heal within 2-6 weeks with appropriate care and consistent pressure relief
Stage III Pressure Injuries typically require 1-4 months of specialized treatment
Stage IV Pressure Injuries often need 3-6 months or longer, and may require surgical intervention
Throughout treatment, our Nurse Practitioners monitor progress through:
Regular wound measurements tracking size reduction
Tissue quality improvement (healthy granulation replacing necrotic tissue)
Decreased drainage and odor
Wound edge advancement toward closure
Reduced pain and increased patient comfort
Success means not just closing the current wound, but preventing recurrence through ongoing risk assessment and prevention strategies.
Signs You Need Specialized Care
Certain signs indicate a pressure injury requires expert intervention beyond basic wound care:
Wounds that haven't improved after 2 weeks of treatment
Increasing wound size despite appropriate care
Foul odor, increased drainage, or signs of infection
Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle (Stage IV)
Black eschar or non-viable tissue obscuring wound depth
Undermining or tunneling extending beyond visible wound edges
Multiple pressure injuries in one patient
Patient experiencing significant pain
If any of these conditions are present, specialized wound care can prevent complications and accelerate healing.
Contact us
Pressure injuries don't have to derail recovery or diminish quality of life. With expert assessment, specialized treatment, and comprehensive prevention strategies, our Nurse Practitioners provide the care your patients need to heal and stay healthy.
Contact Best Wound Care today to bring specialized pressure injury expertise to your facility.