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November 21, 2024 is Worldwide Pressure Injury Prevention Day (PIPD). This is a topic Patients for Patient Safety Canada (PFPSC) cares deeply about because we know from our own experience and from evidence that the harm from this preventable injury is more than the pain and discomfort suffered by the patient and the family caregiver, it is psychological, emotional and financial.

Watch our 2-part exploration of this topic on your YouTube channel.

It is well known that pressure injuries are very common across hospitals and  other care settings and yet, data about these incidents are scarce or not gathered as they should be. In many jurisdictions the reporting of these incidents are optional. The Canadian Institute of Health Information no longer includes pressure injuries as one of the top harm incidents in its 2025 infographic (Patient harm in Canadian hospitals? It does happen | CIHI). More data is needed to take pressure injuries seriously, particularly as more than 70% are preventable. Actions are needed to prevent and/or manage pressure injuries.

There are many guidelines and programs in place to help prevent and manage pressure injuries.  Family caregivers can help prevent those injuries if healthcare workers engage them as partners in care.

Here is how each of us can contribute to preventing pressure injuries:

ASK

ASK about if you or your loved ones are at risk, how to prevent pressure injuries, and what signs to look for.

WHAT IS A PRESSURE INJURY

LISTEN

LISTEN to the experiences of others with empathy and respect for their truth. It’s normal to think that this can’t happen to you, that’s what the people who share their stories thought too.

Joe’s story
Jessie’s story

ACT

ACT to prevent pressure ulcers by supporting family caregivers to engage in the care of their loved ones in all settings. They are essential members of the care team both in acute or long-term as well as at home.

PREVENTING AND MANAGING PRESSURE INJURIES AT HOME
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Patients, families, and healthcare workers have the same goal: prevent the avoidable harm due to pressure injuries. Together we can make a difference! 

When a pressure injury is identified, patients and families expect the healthcare team to disclose it right away and find ways to improve safety. Learn more what to do if you experienced a patient safety incident. 

Please share and add your stories on social media using #patients4safety; #WPIPD2024;

Get in touch to start making a difference today.

“In honor of those who have died, those left disabled, our loved ones today and the world’s children yet to be born, we will strive for excellence, so that all involved in healthcare are as safe as possible as soon as possible.”
– LONDON DECLARATION
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