How long should a wound vac be used?

For those who are wondering how long a wound vac needs to stay on, most healthcare professionals recommend changing the dressing every 48 to 72 hours or at least three times a week. If the wound is infected, it may require the dressing to be changed more often.

When should you not use a wound vac?

When to discontinue wound VAC use

fever higher than 102°F (39°C )
bleeding around the wound.
rash around your wound.
dizziness.
nausea or vomiting.
confusion.
sore throat.
headache.

How long can a KCI Wound VAC stay on?

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. 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 to 72 hours.

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 long does it take for a deep surgical wound to heal?

Healing depends on your general health and the type of surgery you had. Large or deep surgery incisions can take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. People with medical problems or prescribed certain medications may take longer.

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.

Does a wound vac heal faster?

It’s also known as wound VAC. During the treatment, a device decreases air pressure on the wound. This can help the wound heal more quickly. The gases in the air around us put pressure on the surface of our bodies.

How do you shower with KCI wound VAC?

The clear V.A.C. ® Drape is waterproof. You can wash or shower with the dressings in place and with the tube clamped (closed off). Turn off the unit and unplug it from the electrical outlet.

What happens if wound vac is off for more than 2 hours?

Do not keep the NPWT dressing on without suction for more than 2 hours, as this can cause infection. If you cannot get your dressing repaired or replaced within 2 hours, remove the entire dressing and place a gauze dressing over the wound.

Is yellow drainage from a wound normal?

Normal wounds have normal drainage—it’s clear or there is a little bit of blood or yellow color. The amount of drainage, and the amount of blood in it, should lessen as the wound heals.