November 20th is Pressure Injury Prevention Day. Governor Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation to officially recognize Pressure Injury Awareness Day which aims to reduce pressure injury incidents by shedding light on pressure injuries and the harms they can cause. You can read the full proclamation at this link.

Pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores, affect more than 2.5 million people in the United States. Pressure injuries cause pain and create an increased risk of infections. Although primarily a preventable condition, these injuries claim the lives of over 60,000 Americans per year. In addition to life-threatening complications, pressure injuries increase healthcare costs and can have many negative impacts on the lives of those afflicted with this condition.

The Office of Developmental Programs’ Skin Integrity Initiative seeks to provide education, training, and technical assistance to reduce the incidence and severity of pressure injuries. Read more about ODP’s Skin Integrity Initiative here.