V.A.C.® Therapy 101
Contents
1. 3 What does the foam dressing look like when V A C Therapy is working Your doctor may prescribe a V A C GranuFoam or V A C WhiteFoam Dressing for your wound type The V A C GranuFoam Dressing will shrink down and wrinkle like a raisin when V A C Therapy is working The V A C WhiteFoam Dressing may only have a few wrinkles 4 Does changing the V A C dressing hurt Some people do experience discomfort during dressing changes depending on the wound type location and patient condition The discomfort is similar to other dressings and wound care treatments for the same wound type Your doctor or nurse can give you advice about pain relief 5 Who should change my dressing Usually a nurse from your doctor s office home health agency or wound care clinic trained in V A C Therapy will change your dressing If deemed appropriate by your clinician a caregiver family member or friend may change the dressing if they have been properly trained If so to help reduce the risk of infection to you and or your caregiver please follow these steps e Caregiver should wash hands before and after each patient contact or procedure e Caregiver should always wear gloves and protective clothing and eyewear when handling blood or body fluid or when in contact with mucous membranes or open cuts e Any caregiver with an open cut or skin condition should not care for the patient until the condition has been cleared2. 6 When should I call my clinician when on V A C Therapy Immediately report to your clinician any of these signs Fever over 102 Diarrhea Headache Sore throat Confusion Sick to your stomach or throwing up Dizziness or feel faint when you stand up Redness around the wound Skin itches or rash present Wound is sore red or swollen Pus or bad smell from the wound Bleeding around the wound Area in or around wound feels very warm 7 What happens if the V A C Therapy System alarms The V A C Therapy System is built with your safety in mind The V A C Therapy unit has alarms that you can see and hear which will alert you to a potential problem In most situations the reason for the alarm is easily fixed This is something your clinician can explain in more detail so you are comfortable with this alarm system 9 How noisy is the V A C Therapy System All of the V A C Therapy Systems are medical devices with moving parts Noise may seem louder at night when surrounding noise level is greatly decreased The units are designed with software that help to identify leaks at the wound site When a leak is present the unit may make a ramping noise and the unit will begin to alarm When the seal has been fixed the unit will no longer alarm and the ramping noise will stop The unit may also have a gur gling sound when clearing air from the system 10 Who should I contact if have further questions Cont
3. act your clinician with any medical questions In case of an emergency immediately call your local emer gency contact number i e 911 Once V A C Therapy is prescribed for questions about V A C operation call 1 800 275 4524 7 f wactherapy To learn more about the KCI V A C Therapy System please visit our website at www kcil com or call us at 1 800 275 4524 This is a summary of some basic information about V A C Therapy It is not intended to be a guide to product use operation and placement Please read the V A C Therapy System Quick Reference Guide and V A C Therapy System User Manual for specific questions and important information about V A C Therapy System indications contraindications warnings precautions and operation and discuss this information with your clinician CAUTION Federal law restricts this device to sale or sale rental by or on the order of a physician 2009 KCI Licensing Inc All rights reserved All trademarks designated herein are proprietary to KCI Licensing Inc its affiliates and or licensors The V A C System a and certain components and methods are subject to one or more of the following The Clinical Advantage patents USA 5636643 5645081 6142982 6345623 6553998 6814079 7004915 7198046 7216651 EU EP777504 EP620720 EP865304 EP1088569 EP853950 EP1018967 EP1219311 EP1440667 other patents pending DSL 09 11 607 1 10 LIT 29 A 200
4. ced software and pressure regulating technology SensaT R A C and a diverse foam dressing portfolio V A C Therapy is the original and most widely prescribed NPWT treatment in the world V A C Dressing Placement The V A C dressing goes on or inside a wound One end of the tubing connects to the dressing The other end connects to the canister that fits into the therapy unit The wound area is sealed with the clear V A C Drape with adhesive that helps maintain negative pressure over the wound si SensaT R A C Pad E DP V A C GranuFoam Dressing If used V A C WhiteFoam is typically recommended for placement under V A C GranuFoam Dressing V A C Dressing Changes The V A C Therapy System uses proprietary foam dressings V A C GranuFoam and or WhiteFoam with the therapy unit Only V A C dressings are to be used with the V A C therapy units Wounds treated with the V A C Therapy System should be monitored on a regular basis by your clinicians who are responsible for treatment e For a non infected wound KCI recommends the V A C dressings be changed every 48 to 72 hours but no less than 3 times per week e For infected wounds These wounds must be monitored often and very closely Infected wounds dressing changes may need to be changed more often than 48 to72 hours Dressing change intervals should be based on continuing evaluation of your wound condition by yo
5. nvironment e Draw wound edges together e Remove fluid and infectious materials e Reduce wound odor e Reduce the need for daily dressing changes The V A C Therapy System is an Advanced Wound Therapy System Consisting of Four Parts e The VA C Therapy unit that delivers negative pressure e Sterile plastic tubing with SensaT R A C pressure sensing lumens that connects the therapy unit to the dressing e Special foam dressings V A C GranuFoam and V A C WhiteFoam Dressings that are placed in the wound e A clear drape with adhesive V A C Drape that covers the foam dressing s Device illustration representative only Your doctor may prescribe a different V A C Therapy unit V A C Therapy tubing _ ae eT A 7 D TT V A C Drape V A C GranuFoam Dressing There is Only One V A C Therapy KCI commercialized the world s first negative pressure wound therapy NPWT system V A C Therapy and is a market leader in advanced wound therapy With more published clinical evidence than any other form of NPWT V A C Therapy has been selected as the treatment of choice for more than 3 million patients worldwide Many clinicians hospitals skilled nursing facilities wound care centers and home health agencies use or prescribe the advanced V A C Therapy System to help their patients heal There are other NPWT systems but utilizing a proprietary NPWT pump advan
6. ur clinician IMPORTANT The V A C Therapy System is indicated for patients with chronic acute traumatic and dehisced wounds partial thickness burns ulcers such as diabetic or pressure and flaps and grafts V A C Therapy is contraindicated for patients with malignancy in the wound untreated osteomyelitis non enteric and unex plored fistulas necrotic tissue with eschar present and sensitivity to silver V A C GranuFoam Silver Dressing only Do not place V A C foam dressings in contact with exposed blood vessels anastomotic sites organs nerves Please discuss and review this information and the device instructions for use with your clinician so you can fully understand the benefits and risks of V A C Therapy Some frequently asked questions about V A C Therapy 1 How does V A C Therapy feel Most patients describe V A C Therapy as a non painful mild pulling sensation that in most cases is not noticeable after a few minutes Wound comfort may vary by individual The wound may become tender or itch as it heals this is usually a good sign If itching or discomfort persists please contact your doctor 2 Can you move around while on V A C Therapy Your ability to move around depends on your condition the wound location and type of therapy unit prescribed The V A C Therapy System may be disconnected so you can take a shower Therapy may not be off any longer than two hours per day
7. vactherapy KCI Healing by design V A C Therapy 101 Are you suffering trom a wound Ask your doctor about V A C Therapy and whether it may be right for you Wound Healing is a Process Proper wound care management is important to heal your wound and your doctor may prescribe the V A C Therapy System for your care A clinician is responsible for directing the use of the V A C Therapy System including application and periodic dressing changes How Long Will it Take to Heal My Wound The length of time to heal a wound is different for every patient General conditions size and location of the wound and nutritional status can affect the time it takes for a wound to heal Your clinician will discuss when and why V A C Therapy may begin and end What is V A C Therapy V A C Therapy is a medical device system that promotes wound healing by delivering negative pressure a vacuum at the wound site through a patented dressing and therapy unit creating an enviroment that promotes the wound healing process This negative pressure helps draw wound edges together remove wound fluids and infectious materials and promote granulation tissue formation the connective tissue in healing wounds Unlike gauze bandages that merely cover a wound V A C Therapy actively works to help the wound healing process The V A C Therapy System helps e Promote wound healing e Provide a moist wound healing e
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search