Wound vac what is

How can you care for yourself at home? A home health care worker will come to your home a few times a week to change the bandage and check the machine. You may need it changed more often if there is a lot of drainage.

Your doctor will give you information on what you can and can't do. This depends on where your wound is located. Your activities may be limited during the time you're using vacuum-assisted closure. You will be able to take sponge baths. Don't shower or take baths unless your doctor says it is okay. Take pain medicines exactly as directed. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics. For example, call if: You have a lot of bleeding or see a sudden change in the colour or texture of the drainage.

The wound splits open and organs under the skin can be seen evisceration. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: The wound starts bleeding. The bandage comes off. Cover the area with a sterile bandage until you can see your doctor or your home health care worker comes by. Share this page Facebook Twitter. Why do I need it? How does it work? Your healthcare providers will fit layers of foam dressing to the shape of the wound.

The dressing will then be sealed with a film. The film has an opening where a tube is attached. The tube leads to a vacuum pump and canister where fluids are collected. The vacuum pump can be set so that it is ongoing, or so it starts and stops intermittently.

The vacuum pump pulls fluid and infection from the wound. This helps pull the edges of the wound together. It also helps the wound heal by promoting the growth of new tissue. When needed, antibiotics and saline can be pushed into the wound. How long it takes your wound to heal depends on a number of factors. These can include your general health, the size and location of the wound, and your nutritional status.

Ask your doctor what you should expect. Can I shower while the device is on? You can disconnect the device to take a shower. The device should not be off for more than 2 hours per day, however. Can I take a bath? Bath water can infect a wound.

What are the noises the device makes? Because the device has moving parts, it makes a small amount of noise. The noise may become louder or an alarm may sound if there is a leak or a poor seal.

How is the dressing changed? Having your dressing changed regularly is very important to your healing. How often? For example, your provider may first need to treat an infection in your wound. Dead or damaged tissue may also need to be removed from your wound. You or a caregiver may need training on how to use the wound VAC device. This is done if you will be able to have your wound vacuum therapy at home. In other cases, you may need to have your wound vacuum therapy in a healthcare facility.

A healthcare provider will cover your wound with a foam or gauze wound dressing. An adhesive film will be put over the dressing and wound. This seals the wound. The foam connects to a drainage tube, which leads to a vacuum pump.

This pump is portable. When the pump is turned on, it draws fluid through the foam and out the drainage tubing. The pump may run all the time, or it may cycle off and on. Your exact setup will depend on the specific type of wound vacuum system that you use. You may need the dressing changed about once a day. You may need it changed more or less often depending on your wound.

You or your caregiver may be trained to do this at home. Or it may be done by a visiting healthcare provider. In some cases, it may be done by a healthcare provider in a hospital or other facility.

You may need to stay in a care facility if you have a large or severe wound. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a pain medicine. This is to prevent or reduce pain during the dressing change.

Tell your provider right away if you have a fever or increased swelling or pain in your wound. Also tell him or her if there is blood or blood clots in the tubing or collection chamber of the device. You will likely need to use the wound VAC system for several weeks or months. Your provider will carefully keep track of your healing.