Understanding pressure injuries – causes, risks and strategies for prevention

What are pressure injuries?

Pressure injuries are caused by localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue, often the result of sustained pressure — or pressure combined with shear or friction — which impairs blood flow and leads to tissue damage. Pressure injuries can develop over bony areas or due to medical devices.

These injuries often occur in patients with limited mobility, chronic illnesses or other health conditions that affect circulation, sensation or skin integrity. Common areas affected include the sacrum, heels, hips and elbows — places where skin is close to bone.

While the terminology has evolved from “bedsores” or “pressure ulcers” to the more clinical term “pressure injuries,” the underlying concern remains the same: these wounds can be serious, painful and difficult to manage without proper intervention.

The impact on patients and healthcare systems

Pressure injuries affect patients’ health and quality of life while also increasing costs and resource demands for healthcare providers. Here’s a closer look:

For patients

Pressure injuries can lead to:

• Persistent pain and discomfort
• Increased risk of infections, including sepsis
• Delayed recovery and decreased mobility
• Emotional distress and reduced quality of life

For healthcare providers

Pressure injuries may contribute to:

• Longer hospital stays
• Higher treatment costs
• Reduced patient satisfaction scores
• Penalties related to preventable hospital-acquired conditions (HACs)

In the United States alone, pressure injuries cost the healthcare system billions of dollars annually. Many of these injuries are considered avoidable with the right tools, protocols, and early intervention strategies in place.

Why advanced management strategies matter

The good news is that pressure injuries are often preventable, and when they do occur, modern clinical tools can help reduce their severity and support faster healing.

Advanced management strategies go beyond traditional repositioning and skincare routines. They take a proactive, evidence-based approach to skin and wound care — incorporating specialized products, technology and clinical insight to protect vulnerable skin and support tissue repair.

Early intervention, when combined with today’s advanced products, helps care teams:

• Lower the incidence of new pressure injuries
• Reduce complications
• Improve patient comfort and recovery time
• Boost operational efficiency

How advanced products support better outcomes

At McKesson Medical-Surgical, we offer a wide range of advanced wound care solutions that help address the key factors contributing to pressure injuries: moisture, pressure and infection risk.

Some examples of effective products include:

• Foam dressings that absorb exudate while providing cushioning and support
• Antimicrobial dressings that help manage bioburden and reduce infection risk
• Silicone-bordered dressings that protect fragile skin and allow for atraumatic removal
• Pressure-relieving surfaces like low-air-loss mattresses and cushions

These products are designed to work together in a care plan tailored to the patient’s specific needs. By maintaining a stable wound environment and reducing external pressure, they help support better healing and more consistent outcomes.

Clinical and operational benefits

The advantages of using advanced products go beyond wound healing. When integrated into care workflows, they offer real-world benefits for staff and systems, including:

• Fewer wound-related complications
• Supports healing rates
• Better patient and family satisfaction
• Less time spent on wound care tasks
• Reduced overall costs

Investing in advanced wound care strategies can help you achieve clinical goals while improving workflow and overall care delivery.

Causes and risk factors

Pressure injuries are rarely caused by a single issue. Instead, they result from a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.

Intrinsic risk factors

• Advanced age
• Immobility or paralysis
• Poor nutrition or dehydration
• Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, vascular disease or neuropathy

Extrinsic risk factors

• Prolonged pressure from lying or sitting
• Friction during repositioning or transfers
• Excess moisture from incontinence, sweat or wound drainage

Because these risk factors often occur together, prevention and treatment require a comprehensive approach that accounts for each patient’s full clinical picture.

Staging of pressure injuries

Clinicians use a standardized staging system to assess and monitor the severity of pressure injuries:

• Stage 1: Localized area of non-blanchable
• Stage 2: Loss of skin with “exposed dermas”
• Stage 3: Full-thickness skin loss extending into the fat layer
• Stage 4: Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed muscle, bone or tendon

Additional classifications include:

• Unstageable: The wound base is obscured by slough or eschar
• Deep tissue pressure injury (DTPI): Persistent, non-blanchable deep red, maroon or purple discoloration

Accurate staging is essential for determining the appropriate treatment plan and documenting clinical progress and outcomes.

Take the next step in pressure injury prevention

Pressure injuries remain a significant challenge in clinical care — but with the right knowledge, tools and support, they are often preventable. By using advanced wound care products and embracing evidence-based strategies, clinicians can help protect at-risk patients and improve healing outcomes.

Watch the webinar to learn more about the latest innovations in pressure injury prevention and treatment and how to implement them in your practice.

McKesson is here to support you with trusted products, clinical resources and expert insights. Explore our solutions today.