STOP pressure injuries. Start with prevention.
Pressure injuries can have serious consequences for people, families and health-care systems.
But prevention is possible.
Everyone has a role to play — from patients and care partners to health-care professionals, organizations, advocates and policy makers.
On STOP Pressure Injury Day, join Wounds Canada in raising awareness, strengthening prevention and taking action to reduce avoidable pressure injuries across Canada.
Why pressure injury prevention matters
A pressure injury can develop when prolonged or unrelieved pressure damages the skin and underlying tissue.
Pressure injuries can occur when a person has difficulty moving or changing position, spends significant time in bed or a chair, is undergoing surgery or has a medical device that places pressure on the skin.
Many pressure injuries can be prevented.
Prevention starts with identifying risk early, taking appropriate action and reassessing regularly.
Wounds Canada promotes a prevention-first approach to skin health and wound care.
Prevention is part of your right to safe, person-centred care
Preventing pressure injuries isn't only about what patients and care partners can do. People have rights when it comes to wound prevention and care.
The Wounds Canada Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities in Wound Prevention and Care recognizes that people have the right to:
- Timely skin-related risk assessment when accessing health care
- High-quality, consistent, co-ordinated and evidence-based care in every setting
- Clear and accessible communication about their health, care plan and treatment options
- Be included as part of the wound care team and involved in decisions about their care
These rights are paired with responsibilities that support active participation — including speaking up about changes in skin or health, asking questions, sharing concerns and participating in care planning.
Prevention is a shared responsibility. It is also a right.
From awareness to action
The Wounds Canada Pathway for Preventing and Managing Pressure Injuries provides a practical, system-level approach to prevention and care.
The pathway emphasizes:
1 - Screen for risk
Identify people who are at risk of developing a pressure injury
2 - Act early
Put timely prevention strategies in place based on the person's needs and risk
3 - Reassess
Monitor, evaluate and adjust care as the person's condition changes
4 - Prevent, manage and support healing
When a pressure injury occurs, provide timely care while continuing to promote skin health and prevent recurrence
The goal?
Prevent pressure injuries before they happen–and support better outcomes when they do.
Everyone has a role to play
You can be part of pressure injury prevention – and you have the right to be included in your care.
Learn how to recognize your risk, protect your skin and participate in conversations with your health-care team.
Explore:
- Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities in Wound Prevention and Care
- Caring for Pressure Injuries at Home
- SSKIN Bundle
- DIY Series on Pressure Injuries
- Patient and caregiver story series: Our Voices, Our Stories
Health-care professionals
Prevention is part of everyday care.
Use evidence-informed approaches to identify risk, protect skin, intervene early and involve patients and care partners in prevention.
Explore:
- Best Practice Recommendations: Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries
- BPR Briefs on Pressure Injuries
- Pathway for Preventing and Managing Pressure Injuries
- Implementing the Wounds Canada Pathway for Preventing and Managing Pressure Injuries (webinar)
- Wounds Canada Institute education and professional development, including Focus on the Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries: Knowledge
Advocates and policy makers
Pressure injury prevention cannot depend on individual effort alone.
Health systems need the policies, education, resources and care pathways that make prevention possible across settings.
Explore:
Watch and learn
Implementing the Wounds Canada Pathway for Preventing and Managing Pressure Injuries
In 2025, Wounds Canada brought together leaders from acute care, home and community care and health-system leadership to explore how the new pathway can support prevention, early detection and treatment across sectors.
Watch the webinar to learn how the pathway can be implemented in practice.
Additional resources
Support prevention
Help make prevention possible.
Preventing pressure injuries takes more than awareness. It takes education, evidence, resources and action.
Wounds Canada is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing wound prevention and management across Canada. Through education, advocacy, research, patient resources and community-building, Wounds Canada works to help prevent wounds before they occur and improve care for people living with wounds.
Your support helps us continue this work.