Pressure ulcers are one of the most common preventable ways by which patients are harmed during their care. They can be serious and even life-threatening, causing pain and distress to people of all ages and across all care settings. Nurses have an essential role in preventing pressure ulcers, and often the first action in prevention is to complete a pressure ulcer risk assessment. In the latest Nursing Standard podcast tissue viability nurse consultant Julie Tyrer talks about risk assessment tools.