?? re wound vac

[cherilee]

:icon_rollIs the wound vac dressing sterile always? Iv e seen people drop the foam on the side of pts. bed, etc. and just put it in.

And sorry, I thought aseptic and sterile meant the same thing...

what is the difference?

[Codypatody, BSN, RN]

The dressings are packed sterile but the dressing technique does not have to be sterile. Only if the doctor orders it that way. If the foam drops onto the bed or floor, it is NOT appropriate to use it. It is contaminated at this point. It should be thrown out. In reality, that does not always happen, especially in home health. It is best to cut the foam over the package it comes in and if you have to put it down, place it on the package (you can open the package fully to give you a surface to put it on).

FYI, I work for KCI, that is why I know all this stuff! Feel free to ask me other questions about the VAC.

[cherilee]

forgive me but.. if its packed sterile, doesnt the whole thing have to STAY sterile? I mean, if you have regular gloves on and then you touch something, then touch the dressing, wouldnt that contaminate it?

Thanks for your reply BTW

Lisa

[Codypatody, BSN, RN]

No, the dressing does not have to be sterile...only if the physician or your facility's wound care protocol dictates it. I work with mainly home health nurses and they use standard precautions when doing dressing changes unless sterile technique is ordered. KCI teaches the basics when doing a VAC dressing...washing hands, using gloves, cleansing the wound and monitoring for s/s of infection. Unfortunately, I have worked with some RNs who don't use gloves when handling the foam. Ick! Not recommended by KCI. Anything going into the wound should be handled with gloved hands.

In my opinion, if you work in an acute care setting, I would always use sterile technique. There are too many bugs flying around in the hospitals!

Hope this helps!

[colter517]

As CodyPatody stated, the dressing technique is sterile only if the doctor orders it. Otherwise, it is clean technique and anything that drops on the floor should be disposed of.

I too work for KCI.

[mel8927]

The policy where I work is that a dirty wound does not have to be sterile, but if it is a post-op dressing than it does because it is considered a clean wound.

[1studentnurse]

Our facility does not require sterile procedure, either, just clean.

I really like WoundVACs and I do change gloves for taking off the dressing and I wear new ones for putting on and touching the new stuff.

If a patient requests it (I've had them) I will wear sterile gloves to do the procedure. Personally, I like our sterile gloves a lot better than our clean ones, since most (outside of the kits) are powdered and easier to get on your hands.