Pressure ulcers develop when skin and underlying tissue are subjected to ongoing pressure, friction, or shear—especially for residents who can’t reliably shift positions on their own. In a responsible care environment, prevention is typically built into daily routines: scheduled turning/repositioning, skin assessments, moisture management, appropriate support surfaces, and timely wound care when early changes show up.
In Wisconsin, nursing facilities are expected to follow established standards for resident assessment and care planning. If a facility documents prevention steps but the resident’s condition worsens in a way consistent with missed or delayed interventions, that gap is often where legal questions begin.


