Bed sores are caused by remaining in one position for too long, which can happen if a nursing home resident is bedridden or continuously in a wheelchair. They are avoided by routinely urging the resident to move, and/or assisting, repositioning or turning those who cannot move on their own.

Nursing homes should establish policies and procedures for assisting immobile residents, identify such residents, and maintain staff in adequate numbers and with training to help residents unable to move on their own. If a resident develops a bed sore, it should be promptly treated so it does not worsen.

Nursing homes are expected to ensure that a resident who enters the facility without bed sores does not develop them unless their clinical condition makes them unavoidable. For example, in a patient whose abnormal or unstable blood pressure was made worse by movement (known as hemodynamic instability) bed sores might be unavoidable, but are still not inevitable. And, this patient would still be due a measure of preventive care to avoid bed sores. A resident who enters with pressure sores or develops pressure sores should receive treatment that promotes healing, prevents infection and prevents new sores.