---
title: WHAT IS A PRESSURE ULCER?
description: What is a pressure ulcer? Discover more about the causes of pressure injuries (PI) and how to prevent them in non ambulatory patients or family members.
image: https://blog.seatingmatters.com/hubfs/Pressure.jpg
---
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# WHAT IS A PRESSURE ULCER?
By [Martina Tierney OT](https://blog.seatingmatters.com/author/martina-tierney-ot) · July 04, 2019 ·
[Pressure Ulcer Reduction](https://blog.seatingmatters.com/topic/pressure-ulcer-reduction), [Pressure Ulcer / Pressure Injury](https://blog.seatingmatters.com/topic/pressure-ulcer-pressure-injury)
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A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, usually over a bony prominence caused by pressure or pressure in combination with shear. They cause pain, discomfort and reduced quality of life to patients and represent a monumental cost to the health and social care system.1
[**REQUEST YOUR FREE COPY OF THE CLINICIAN'S SEATING HANDBOOK TODAY**](https://www.seatingmatters.com/clinicians-seating-handbook)
### The Uncomfortable Truth
Pressure ulcers have a negative impact on quality of life. It is known that individuals with pressure ulcers frequently experience pain combined with fear, isolation and anxiety.
[Furthermore, Mortality rates are as high as **60% in the elderly** with a **pressure ulcer** within one year of **discharge**](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)[from hospital.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)
### How Big is the Problem?
Pressure ulcers remain an all too common problem throughout healthcare institutions. [The magnitude of the problem is growing with a 63% increase in pressure ulcers in a 10 year period and with patients from](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)[ across acute, long term care and home care environments are said to experience a pressure ulcer. ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)Given the fact that these injuries may be avoidable, it is clear that attention to pressure ulcer prevention remains vital and often overlooked.
Source: Injury Prevention Program, Seating Matters.3
### FOR MORE INFORMATION...
[The Clinician’s Seating Handbook shows how good seating reduces the risk of pressure injuries.](https://www.seatingmatters.com/clinicians-seating-handbook)
[**REQUEST YOUR FREE COPY TODAY**](https://www.seatingmatters.com/clinicians-seating-handbook)
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[References:](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)
[1.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)[https://www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca/en/toolsResources/Hospital-Harm-Measure/Documents/Resource-Library/HHIR%20Pressure%20Ulcer.pdf](https://www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca/en/toolsResources/Hospital-Harm-Measure/Documents/Resource-Library/HHIR%20Pressure%20Ulcer.pdf)
[2. Lyder CH, Ayello EA. Pressure Ulcers: A Patient Safety Issue. In: Hughes RG, editor. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Apr. Chapter 12.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)[ Available from:](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2650/)
3. Seating Matters, Injury Prevention Program, Northern Ireland: Seating Matters.
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