Why pressure ulcers remain neglected and what it means for patient safety
Hospitals are often considered homes of healing. For many patients, this is the case. However, behind this expectation, there exists another reality, which rarely enters into public debate. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, contribute to tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States and cost the healthcare system billions of dollars.
These injuries develop when patients stay in the same position for too long. Limited movement reduces blood flow, which can damage the skin and underlying tissues. For already vulnerable patients, the consequences can quickly escalate.
Despite the scale of the problem, it does not receive the same attention as other hospital risks. According to Eric Race, CEO and founder of Atlas Mobilitythe silence is not accidental.
“In some settings, pressure ulcers are silently accepted as an expected outcome of caring for high-risk patients, reducing the urgency to elevate the conversation,” he explains.
Why the problem remains hidden
Part of the challenge is how pressure injuries are framed. They are often treated as a narrow clinical problem rather than a broader safety issue. “They are often seen as a sensitive issue in nursing rather than a system-wide safety indicator, which limits the scope of their discussion,” says Race.
There is also a discomfort linked to the subject itself. Many cases are preventable with consistent care, making the problem more difficult to address publicly. Race argues that because they are largely preventable, they are more difficult to reveal publicly than others. clinical complications.
For patients and their families, this lack of visibility can be surprising. You can assume that hospitals track and prevent all major risks in the same way. In practice, however, prevention depends on the systems functioning properly on a daily basis.
Where systems collapse
At the center of the problem is inconsistency. Hospitals often have protocols designed to prevent pressure ulcers, but compliance with them can vary from shift to shift. “The biggest problem is inconsistency at the bedside,” Race shares.
Simple actions, such as repositioning a patient or helping them move, are not always considered urgent care tasks. Race explains that when staff is stretched or workflows become cluttered, these steps tend to end up on the back burner: “They are directly related. When staff is stretched, teams prioritize immediate clinical tasks, and mobility may be delayed or missed.”
Without clear monitoring, missed care may go unnoticed until harm has already occurred.
Rethinking prevention
Experts say prevention requires more than policies or training sessions. It depends on building systems that support consistent action throughout the day. “Effective programs treat mobility as a clinical standard performed with the same consistency as medication administration,” adds Race.
This approach includes better monitoring, clearer accountability and dedicated support for frontline staff. It is also means to treat a patient movement is essential and not optional.
For hospital leaders, the path forward is practical. Prioritize mobility as a security measure and invest in tools and staff that facilitate real-time care delivery. For patients and their families, awareness is also important. Asking how often a patient will be moved or monitored can draw attention to a risk that often goes unspoken.
Pressure injuries may not make the headlines, but their impact is real. Bringing them to light is a step towards safer care for all.
