Pressure ulcers Bed sores or pressure injuries

What is a pressure ulcer?

A pressure ulcer, also referred to as a pressure injury, bedsore or decubitus ulcer, is caused by prolonged pressure on the skin, which can crush blood vessels. It prevents oxygen and nutrients from being carried by the blood to the tissues in that area. These tissues become damaged and may eventually die.

A pressure ulcer is usually located above a bone. It may appear as redness, a phlycten (blister), an abrasion, necrosis (dead/black tissue) or even an open wound.

People at risk can develop a pressure ulcer within 2 to 6 hours.

Areas at risk of developing pressure ulcers

English image Preventing pressure sores
© CHUM 2025
Source : CHUM document - Preventing pressure ulcers - License CC BY‑NC‑ND

Preventing pressure ulcers

Drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of liquid per day
Drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of fluid per day
Do not raise the head of the bed beyond 30 degrees
Do not raise the head of the bed more than 30 degrees
Reduce the moisture on your skin, clothes and sheets
Reduce moisture from skin, clothing and sheets
Put a pillow between your knees when lying on your side
Place a pillow between your knees when lying on your side
Examine the skin regularly
Examine the skin regularly
Change position every 2 hours
Change position every 2 hours
Moisturize the skin daily
Moisturize the skin daily
Eat a healthy diet
Have a good diet
Put a pillow under your calves to keep your heels from touching the mattress
Place a pillow under the calves to prevent the heels from touching the mattress
Walk and move as much as possible, according to your physical ability
Walk and move as much as possible, according to your physical abilities
Quit smoking because it slows healing and increases the risk of pressure ulcers
Quit smoking because it slows healing and increases the risk of pressure ulcers

Documentation

Preventing pressure ulcers 

  • For adults (Produced by the CHUM. Please do not reach out to the CHUM, but contact your CISSS des Laurentides healthcare team.)
  • For children (in French only) (Produced by the CHU Sainte-Justine Please do not reach out to the Sainte-Justine team, but contact your CISSS des Laurentides healthcare team.)

Wound care

  • Self-care - Education sheet for patients and their loved ones

Contact details

If you have any questions, please contact the CISSS des Laurentides access points: 

Services de santé courants (routine nursing care services): 1-866-225-0104

Opening hours

  • Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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Home support services: 1-833-217-5362 

Opening hours

  • Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.