How Awareness, Action and Equipment Reduce Pressure Ulcer Risk
17th–21st November 2025 marks Stop the Pressure Week, an important UK campaign led by the Society of Tissue Viability, aimed at raising awareness of pressure ulcer prevention across all care settings. In addition, 20th November 2025 is STOP Pressure Ulcer Day, a global initiative organised by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) to highlight the risks of pressure ulcers and the importance of prevention.
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or pressure injuries, are areas of skin and tissue damage caused by prolonged pressure, shear, or friction. They are painful, distressing, and can lead to serious complications such as infection or sepsis if left untreated. Critically, many pressure ulcers are preventable with early intervention, regular repositioning, and the correct use of pressure-relieving equipment.
Why Stop the Pressure Week Matters
The 2025 campaign theme, “What matters to me is…”, emphasises the patient voice and encourages healthcare providers, carers, and patients themselves to actively participate in pressure ulcer prevention. The campaign highlights that pressure ulcers are a largely avoidable harm but remain a serious issue in hospitals, care homes, community care, and home settings.
For caregivers and healthcare professionals, Stop the Pressure Week is a timely reminder of the vital steps that can make a real difference in preventing pressure ulcers:
Regular risk assessment: Identifying patients who may be at higher risk is the first step in prevention. Factors such as limited mobility, frailty, chronic health conditions, or even nutritional deficiencies can increase vulnerability. Conducting thorough and consistent assessments helps ensure that care plans are tailored to each individual’s specific needs, allowing proactive measures to be put in place before pressure damage occurs.
Early intervention: Recognising the early signs of pressure damage is critical. Redness, changes in skin texture, swelling, or small areas of skin breakdown should never be ignored. Prompt action, whether through repositioning, additional support, or specialist equipment, can prevent minor pressure injuries from developing into more serious Stage 3 or Stage 4 ulcers, which are far more difficult to treat.
Education and awareness: Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools in pressure ulcer prevention. Ensuring that staff, patients, and carers are well-informed about the causes of pressure ulcers, high-risk areas, and effective prevention strategies helps create a culture of vigilance. Regular training, updates, and open communication about best practice keep everyone involved aware and engaged in reducing risks.
Use of appropriate equipment: The right equipment can make all the difference in preventing pressure injuries. Pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions, and positioning aids help redistribute weight, relieve pressure on vulnerable areas, and maintain skin integrity. Selecting the most suitable products for each patient, combined with correct usage, maximises effectiveness and enhances comfort, supporting both physical wellbeing and overall quality of life.
A Moment For Stop Pressure Ulcer Day
On STOP Pressure Ulcer Day on 20th November, attention turns to a wider audience, including policymakers, healthcare organisations, and the public. The day encourages reflection on current prevention strategies, the adoption of best practices, and the promotion of innovative solutions. It reinforces a simple but crucial message: pressure ulcers are preventable when risk is identified early, care is timely, and the right equipment is used.
How Pressure Care Management Supports Pressure Ulcer Prevention
At Pressure Care Management, we specialise in providing practical, effective solutions to prevent pressure ulcers and enhance comfort for individuals with limited mobility.
Our products are designed to support carers and healthcare professionals in delivering safe, dignified care. Key products in our inventory include:
PosiPerle and CareFlow (formally Carewave) Positioning Cushions: Flexible, microbead-filled cushions that mould to the body’s shape, helping relieve pressure from vulnerable areas such as heels, elbows, or the head. They stabilise posture and provide comfort and security, reducing the risk of tissue breakdown.
KomfiTilt Tilt Systems: Designed to enable gentle, safe, and regular repositioning without the need for manual lifting. By redistributing weight and improving circulation, KomfiTilt systems prevent pressure build-up while also reducing the physical strain on caregivers.
Flo-Form Fluidised Positioners: Conform closely to the body’s shape, offering targeted offloading for specific areas such as the sacrum, hips, or shoulders. They are ideal for patients with limited mobility, providing both comfort and protection from tissue damage.
Prevention is Key To Pressure Care
The combined awareness of Stop the Pressure Week and STOP Pressure Ulcer Day highlights a fundamental truth in healthcare: prevention saves lives and improves quality of life. Pressure ulcers are painful, distressing, and costly to treat, but with vigilance, timely action, and the right equipment, many of these injuries can be avoided.
Caregivers and healthcare providers play a critical role in protecting patients by:
- Conducting regular skin inspections and risk assessments.
- Ensuring frequent repositioning and mobilisation where possible.
- Using pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions, and positioning aids.
- Encouraging awareness and education among staff, patients, and families.
Raising Awareness and Taking Action
Stop the Pressure Week and STOP Pressure Ulcer Day serve as vital reminders that pressure ulcer prevention is not just a clinical responsibility but a duty of care that impacts patients’ comfort, dignity, and overall wellbeing. By combining education, vigilance, and innovative products, healthcare providers and caregivers can significantly reduce the risk of pressure damage and its associated complications.
Find out more about our range of pressure ulcer prevention solutions, here.
