Specialties Wound
Published May 30, 2007
Schmoo1022
520 Posts
Hello,
I wasn't inserviced by the KCI rep, but another nurse that was. I don't think she is doing it right.
She put a tegaderm directly over the wound, then the sponge, then the drain part, followed by another tegaderm? How the heck is the drainage supposed to get thru the tegaderm?
Shouldn't it be the black foan cut to size, then the drain/suction tubing, then a tegaderm?
anyone???
Thanks!
Lisky90
71 Posts
The last time I did one, the sponge went directly onto the wound...I believe there was one once that I did that had orders to put gauze and then the sponge on the wound. You are right though, if there is a Tegaderm over the wound it will contain any drainage that the wound vac is supposed to draining. It should be the sponge, the tubing and then there are clear, plastic dressings, like Tegaderm but, made by KCI that go over the whole thing, to create a seal...they are usually much bigger than a Tegaderm.
cschuess
25 Posts
When we used the vac we found that we had problems with the black foam and the new granulation sticking to it. Our rep advised us to use adaptic (vaseline impregnated gauze) between the black foam and our problem areas. She also told us that if this continued to be a problem to switch to the white foam. Never had problems after this!
Ambition13, MSN, RN
107 Posts
I never heard of Tegaderm over the wound first. We also use the black foam cut to the size of the wound, cut a small slit in the center of it for the drainage/suction tubing, and then the Tegaderm like dressing on top. The Tegaderm on top of the wound is defeating the purpose of the vac, no debriding or granulation will get accomplished that way.
yumaRN1990
40 Posts
I am on the wound care team and we never have use tegaderm. We do us adaptic to help proctect the wound bed, especialy if the wound is highly vascular. Then sometimes use the white foam and it is covered with the black. The white is especailly good in tunnelling areas.
lsyorke, RN
710 Posts
Tegaderm defeats the whole concept of the wound Vac. Adaptic, not a problem if there is bad sticking.
nurse1717
243 Posts
the type of dressing is largely dependent upon the type of wound being treated (location, type of wound. amt. of drainage, depth, undermining, etc.) in some cases, where there are organs or tendons, adaptek can be placed over the areas (this has a larger weave then tegaderm and will allow for greater granulation) as protection from negative pressure.
again, dressings can vary quite a bit according to the type of wound one is treating. perhaps you can contact your KCI rep to discuss this patient's particular wound/dressing.
best of luck.
txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN
4,373 Posts
i have done many wound vac dressings and the sponge goes on the wound. if you put a dressing over the wound first there is no way for the vac to get a good suction.... humm that is just bizarre.
iamarn
9 Posts
I too have had inservice from KCI rep who stated that adaptic was fine to put under foam. Had one pt. that without adaptic it took 3 hours to remove foam due to adherence of foam to wound bed ana painful removal. No adverse affects from using adaptic. wound looks great!
woundcareRN
4 Posts
I use KCI's Vac on every wound that is a stage III or higher. I am good friends with the rep and asked her about putting the drape in before the foam. She said NO, NO, NO!!!!! Also if your staff needs trained by kci all you need to do is call 1-800-275-4524 and tell them where you are at and that you need a rep to do an inservice for you. If anyone needs any help with their wounds or has questions feel free to PM me.
mfk15
1 Post
how often should the vac be changed> I was always told 72 hrs. tops.however the place I work is doing it 2x's a week.
dogmacatma
2 Posts