What is pressure injury?

2019 NPIAP Guideline defines pressure injury as localized damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue, as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with shear.

Global

Pressure injuries are a prevalent global healthcare problem that imposes significant financial and health burdens for the acutely ill and critically ill population. If untreated, it reduces the patient’s quality of life and increases the caregiver’s workflow complexity.

Painful

Severe and persistent pain is the primary concern for individuals treating or at risk of developing pressure injuries.

Expensive

The global economic burden from pressure injury management was USD 26.8 billion in 2019. With an ageing population and shortage of healthcare workers, hospitals, health centers, and long-term care facilities will see a continuous rise in pressure injury-related expenditure.

Prevalent

40% of acute-care patients develop pressure injuries, making pressure injuries one of the leading causes of lengthening hospitalization, decreasing patient comfort and outcomes.

High Mortality

Pressure injuries significantly increase morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, resulting in 60,000 pressure injury-induced deaths annually.

For more information, visit Pressure Injury Fact Sheet - National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (npiap.com)