Alternating pressure: In support surfaces, pressure redistribution with cyclic changes.

Avoidable pressure injury: The development of a new pressure injury or the worsening of an existing one that results from a failure of the facility or caregivers to adequately identify, prevent, or manage the patient using an acceptable care standard.

Cushions and seating: Powered or nonpowered devices placed on a wheelchair or other seating surface. They utilize air, fluid, foam, gel, water, wool, or a combination of these components to distribute pressure and reduce friction and shear forces. Their design may improve patient positioning and provide lateral stability. They are available with antibacterial, waterproof, and antistatic covers indicated for patients who are chairbound and are at risk for pressure injuries or who have an existing wound.

Frequent small shifts: The regular turning of immobile or hemodynamically unstable individuals to prevent pressure injuries. These shifts occur at regular intervals and usually only represent a 10-15 degree change in position.

Pressure: Continuous physical force exerted on the skin that can impair circulation and perfusion.

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Pressure injury: An injury localized damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue, usually over a bony prominence or related to medical or other devices. The injury can manifest as intact skin or an open ulcer and may be painful. The injury occurs because of intense and/or prolonged pressure or pressure in combination with shear. The tolerance of soft tissue for pressure and shear may also be affected by microclimate, nutrition, perfusion, comorbidities, and condition of the soft tissue.

Pressure mapping: Technology that can be used to determine areas of high pressure on the body, thus allowing clinicians to determine what areas need to be offloaded and/or protected.

Pressure redistribution: Redistribution to spread pressure more evenly across the surface of the cushion or mattress. This reduces the amount of pressure put on any one part of the body (particularly hardened, rigid areas).

Unavoidable pressure injury: In long-term residential care, “unavoidable” can mean that the pressure injury arose despite appropriate recognition and intervention. For example, the resident developed a pressure injury risk factor(s); the facility defined and implemented interventions consistent with the resident’s needs, goals, and recognized standards of practice; the facility monitored and evaluated the impact of the interventions; and the facility revised the approaches as appropriate.

Unstageable pressure injury: A full-thickness wound in which it is impossible to determine the actual depth of the ulcer because of the presence of slough in the wound bed.