When hearing the phrase negative pressure wound therapy, one asks, what does it mean? This type of dressing is used for acute, chronic and burn wounds; it’s a closed system attached to pump which applies negative vacuum pressure to subtract fluid thereby increasing circulation to the tissue. (Wound Care Center, n.d.). This type of therapy is also referred to as VAC (vacuum assisted closure) therapy. According to the Wound Care Center, (n.d.) this vacuum dressing is used for the following:
• Ulcer due to being diabetic, or caused by venous, arterial, or pressure.
• First and second-degree burns.
• Non- healing wounds, classified as chronic in nature.
• Large exudate producing wounds.
• Surgical and acute wounds. When dealing with indications, one has to also address when negative pressure wound therapy is not indicated. This type of dressing is never placed over blood vessels; organs or anastomotic incisions; necrotic areas need to the debrided first; and …show more content…
The black foam is placed over the wound to prevent large particle from occluding the tubing connected to the vacuum machine. The foam is then covered with the polyurethane film dressing which makes it occlusive, machine is set per the prescribing physicians specifications and therapy is commenced. (Thomas, 2001, p. 1). What type of dressing is VAC replacing? Conventional wet to dry dressing is used for debridement of a wound bed. Once the saline soaked gauze dries, it is pulled and the dead along with healthy tissue is removed, causing pain to the patient. Wet to dry dressings are contraindicated because of allowing bacteria to penetrate. Fleck, 2009, indicates that bacterial can cross 64 layers of gauze. So why still use it? It is a good question, which will be addressed at a later
• Ulcer due to being diabetic, or caused by venous, arterial, or pressure.
• First and second-degree burns.
• Non- healing wounds, classified as chronic in nature.
• Large exudate producing wounds.
• Surgical and acute wounds. When dealing with indications, one has to also address when negative pressure wound therapy is not indicated. This type of dressing is never placed over blood vessels; organs or anastomotic incisions; necrotic areas need to the debrided first; and …show more content…
The black foam is placed over the wound to prevent large particle from occluding the tubing connected to the vacuum machine. The foam is then covered with the polyurethane film dressing which makes it occlusive, machine is set per the prescribing physicians specifications and therapy is commenced. (Thomas, 2001, p. 1). What type of dressing is VAC replacing? Conventional wet to dry dressing is used for debridement of a wound bed. Once the saline soaked gauze dries, it is pulled and the dead along with healthy tissue is removed, causing pain to the patient. Wet to dry dressings are contraindicated because of allowing bacteria to penetrate. Fleck, 2009, indicates that bacterial can cross 64 layers of gauze. So why still use it? It is a good question, which will be addressed at a later