As life expectancy continues to rise, the health care industry faces new challenges. A growing number of aging patients with limited mobility, coupled with ongoing staffing shortages — from nurses to home health aides — increases the risk of preventable injuries and illnesses, including pressure sores.

Pressure sores, also known as bedsores, form when individuals remain in the same position for extended periods without movement. These painful wounds are difficult to treat and costly, with each case costing hospitals up to $130,000 and contributing to an annual $26 billion in health care expenses. Left untreated, they can lead to severe complications and even death.

Tamara Bush, professor of mechanical engineering and associate dean for inclusion and diversity at Michigan State University, and Justin Scott, biomechanics research associate, have developed a breakthrough solution to help address this widespread issue. Their innovation, Sit Sense, was named the 2025 MSU Innovation of the Year and is designed to reduce the likelihood of pressure sores for hospital patients — one of the most pressing concerns in health care today. 

“Traditionally, nurses have to come in and manually lift and move the patient — the goal is every two hours,” says Bush. However, with rising shortages in nursing staff, assisted living and home health care, which are already overwhelming the U.S. health care system, this minimum recommendation often goes unmet, leaving patients more vulnerable to developing pressure sores.