Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (Wound Vac)
A wound vac uses gentle suction to help some deep or draining wounds heal. When your doctor orders one, we help manage it at home or in your facility.
How it works
Negative pressure wound therapy, often called a wound vac, uses a foam or gauze dressing, a clear seal and a small portable pump. The pump gently pulls fluid out of the wound into a canister. This helps reduce swelling and keeps the wound clean and protected.
It is often used for deep surgical wounds, wounds that opened after surgery and some deep pressure injuries. It is not safe for every wound, such as wounds with untreated infection in the bone, certain cancers in the wound or exposed blood vessels. Your doctor decides if it is right for you, and dressing changes are usually needed a few times a week.
At your visit
What to expect
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Check the device
We make sure the pump is working, the canister is not full and the seal is holding.
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Remove the old dressing
We turn off the pump and gently remove the foam and seal.
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Clean and assess
We clean the wound, look for signs of infection and measure it.
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Apply a new dressing
We cut foam to fit, cover it with a clear seal and connect the tubing.
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Restart and teach
We turn the pump back on, check for leaks and review alarms and safety steps with you.
Benefits
Why it helps
- Removes extra fluid from the wound
- Can help reduce swelling around the wound
- Keeps the wound covered and sealed
- The portable pump lets many people move around at home
Between visits
- Keep the pump on as ordered. If it has been off for more than 2 hours, follow the plan your care team gave you, which often means removing the vac dressing and putting on a plain dressing, and call us.
- If the alarm sounds, check that the tubing is not kinked and the canister is not full.
- If you see bright red blood in the tubing or canister, turn off the pump, press on the dressing and call 911.
- Keep the pump dry and away from water. Ask us how to bathe safely.
- Call us if you notice a bad smell, more pain or redness around the dressing.
Always follow the care plan and dressing orders from your own clinician.
Questions
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (Wound Vac): common questions
Does a wound vac hurt?
Most people feel a gentle pulling when it starts, and then get used to it. Dressing changes can be uncomfortable. Tell us if you have pain so we can talk with your doctor about ways to help.
Can I sleep and move around with it?
Yes. The pump is small and runs all the time, including at night. Keep the tubing free of kinks and do not lie on it.
Who changes the dressing between your visits?
Wound vac dressings usually need changing a few times a week. We plan this with your doctor and any home health nurse or facility staff so every change is covered.
How long will I need it?
It depends on how the wound responds. Your doctor reviews progress regularly and decides when to stop.
Ready to get a wound looked at?
Tell us about the wound and we will call you to schedule a visit at home or at the facility. Physicians and facilities can send a referral online or by fax.