Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, pressure injuries, known as bedsores, are injuries to the skin and subdermal tissue that occur from prolonged pressure to the skin; and

WHEREAS, bedsores develop quickly and are difficult to treat; and

WHEREAS, each year, 2.5 million patients are affected by pressure injuries, and nearly 60,000 people die as a result of pressure injuries, which costs the United States healthcare system between $9.1 and $11.6 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, prevention will reduce the high incidence of pressure injuries and the substantial pain associated pressure-related injuries that may develop into ulcers; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, no other preventable event occurs as frequently as pressure-related injuries; and

WHEREAS, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel works to improve patient outcomes in pressure injury prevention and treatment through public policy, education, and research;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize November 21, 2019, as PRESSURE INJURY PREVENTION DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.