What setting should I use on a wound vac?
VAC is a good alternative/adjunct to standard wound care especially for difficult wounds. It reduces the extent of reconstructive procedures. The optimum pressure setting is 125 mm of Hg. Intermittent suction is better than continuous suction.
How do you use a wound vac dressing?
Place shaped foam into wound. Fill wound with enough foam so that when vacuum is applied, the height of the foam is close to the top of the wound margins. Note number of foam pieces placed in wound. This is critical if foam is inserted into cavities.
How long does it take for a wound to heal with a vac?
However, with proper use and monitoring of wound vacs, we find that many wounds heal within 4 – 6 weeks when using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
What color should Wound VAC drainage be?
Color is generally clear to pale yellow (normal), red (fresh blood), brown (dried or old blood), white (see above), or blue-green (usually indicative of Pseudomonas infection and should be cultured). The amount of drainage is generally documented as absent, scant, minimal, moderate, large, or copious.
Is blood in wound vac tubing normal?
Wound VAC has some rare risks, such as: Bleeding (which may be severe) Wound infection. An abnormal connection between the intestinal tract and the skin (enteric fistula)
How do you change wound vac dressing?
Use the label included in the dressing kit to document the number of pieces and wound measurements and place on the outside of the clean film. Cut and apply transparent drape material to cover the foam and wound. The drape material should extend out onto the periwound about a half inch all around.
Can I shower with a wound vac?
It’s possible to shower with a wound VAC by disconnecting the VAC system. (Note that you shouldn’t leave your VAC system unplugged for more than 2 hours per day.) It’s not a good idea to take a bath with a wound VAC, however, because sitting in water can expose your wound to bacterial infections.
How do I know if my wound vac is working?
If the wound VAC device is alarming, check to see if the canister is full, the tubing is blocked, there’s a leak, suction wasn’t activated, or the battery is low. If the leak detection alarm sounds, inspect the clear, occlusive dressing to ensure that it remains firmly sealed against the skin.
Does purulent drainage mean infection?
Purulent drainage is a sign of infection. It’s a white, yellow, or brown fluid and might be slightly thick in texture. It’s made up of white blood cells trying to fight the infection, plus the residue from any bacteria pushed out of the wound. There may be an unpleasant smell to the fluid, as well.
How long does purulent drainage last?
A wound giving off purulent drainage usually indicates it has acquired an infection, which can worsen if left untreated. Wounds with an infection may become chronic, which occurs when they last for more than 2–3 months without healing.