Complications of Pressure Injuries

Left untreated, pressure injuries can lead to other serious problems, including:

• Sepsis (bacteria entering the bloodstream)
• Cellulitis (inflammation of body tissue, causing redness and swelling)
• Abscess (a collection of pus)
  
• Bone and joint infections

Assess skin condition regularly and note changes in the skin condition, including signs of a pressure injury:

• Redness that does not go away.
• Unhealthy changes in skin colour/ texture, painful or sore areas).
• Signs of a wound infection (e.g. fever, pus/ discharges from areas of skin, painful/ sore/ itchy/ swollen areas of skin).

Please inform a healthcare professional if you notice signs of a pressure injury, or if you have any questions or concerns.