Wound Vac Therapy at Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties

Certain types of wounds require extra support for healing. Wound vacuums or “wound vacs” apply negative pressure wound therapy in the comfort of your own home and in many cases, outside the home with the equipment’s convenient portability. Our specially trained nurses assist you and your caregivers in managing your wound vac system and ensuring your wound is healing properly. Learn more by reading more about wound vacs below.

What is a wound vac and why would I need one?

Wound vacs are used to pull fluids and air from a wound, remove bacteria, decrease the swelling, help clean the wound and pull its edges together. This may assist the growth of new tissue that promotes healing and closure.  You may need a wound vac if you have diabetic ulcers, bed sores, skin grafts or any other type of traumatic wound.

How do I prepare for a wound vac?

As silly as it may sound, the first thing you need to ensure is that you and your caregiver knows how to use the equipment. Thankfully, the wound vac nurses at Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties will train you both on how to use and clean the equipment, while sharing when you should call us or your provider for further assistance. They will also check in regularly to answer your questions and check on how the system is performing.

What can I expect when my wound vac is set up?

Your nurse will first cover your wound with a specific type of bandage to seal it. The bandage connects to a drainage tube that pulls any moisture or fluid from the wound. Your nurse will tell you how often you or your caregiver need to change your wound’s dressing and how to do so.

Some signs that you may have issues with your wound vac include fever, increased swelling and pain in the wound. If you notice blood or blood clots in the tubing or collection chamber of your device, call your provider immediately.

Wound vacs are often used for several weeks or months. You’ll take the portable device with you when you leave the home and we along with your provider will monitor your healing. Good nutrition and rest are crucial factors in wound healing. Your provider can help you determine a proper diet and sleep schedule.

Smoking will negatively affect the vac’s ability to heal the wound, so if your doctor prescribes a wound vac, you should seek support to help you quit smoking prior to using one.

At Health Care Medical, we specialize in treating diabetic, non-healing, surgical, trauma and pressure injuries in the home with specially trained and certified registered nurses. Our wound vacuum systems may help your wound heal more quickly by:

- Draining excess fluid from the wound

- Reducing swelling

- Reducing bacteria in the wound

- Keeping your wound moist and warm

- Helping draw together wound edges

- Increasing blood flow to your wound

- Decreasing redness and swelling (inflammation)

Trusted for two decades by patients, hospital systems and healthcare institutions statewide, Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties is Mississippi’s leading and most comprehensive provider of infusion services, nutritional and immunity IV therapy, and durable medical equipment for adults and children.

Components of this article were taken from Hopkins Medicine, accessed 3/7/22. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/vacuumassisted-closure-of-a-wound