Problems with VAC dsg/KCI

Traveler · Feb 9, 2005

I would like to know as well. It's interesting that you also say you have been having problems with customer service issues with KCI. I have noticed the same thing in the last year. They used to be wonderful. I work in home health and the rep used to gladly accompany me to a patient's home if I needed. They used to also ship out a new machine if a patient was having trouble with one no matter the day or time. It's totally different now. Have the profits gone to their heads?

Ann

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2005

We just got a new pt from the hospital with a vac. Not sure on the brand and are using moist 4X4s instead of the sponge and covering it with the transparent dressing.

mcmike55 · Feb 15, 2005

We have been using the KC vac system for a year or so.

I'm in OR, but have run across them a few times, but not recently thank goodness!!

We have had some great results, but again, my info may be a bit dated.

If you want PM me, and I'll get you the email address of our wound clinic nurse. She's pretty sharp. If she can't help, maybe she knows someone who could.

Mike

LPN/TXnurse · Feb 18, 2005

Was wondering if anyone out there had an alternative to the VAC sponge for negative pressure wound care? We have had nothing but troouble with KCI and there money hungry administration in the last year and would like to tell them where to put there machines if it wasn't for the wound sponge. To date have found nothing that comes close to it. We have been experimenting with the Blue Sky machine as well as just putting the patient on wall suction with pretty fair results, but still need the sponge. Any suggestions?

I have used several differant types of "vacs" and one of them i used was called I believe a V-1 (I'll check tomorrow at work). But anyways it used moist 4x4's instead of the sponge and then you can cover with a transparent dressing such as tegaderm. It worked well and of course it was less expensive on dressings. It comes with a thicker version of tegaderm and dressing kits but you can improvise as I often have to do at my work. Hope this helps

Jennifer

reindeer · Oct 29, 2005

We have been using the KC vac system for a year or so.
I'm in OR, but have run across them a few times, but not recently thank goodness!!
We have had some great results, but again, my info may be a bit dated.
If you want PM me, and I'll get you the email address of our wound clinic nurse. She's pretty sharp. If she can't help, maybe she knows someone who could.
Mike

would like to be able to know about where to look to be trained as wound nurse so can use in my home health.

teresalpn · Nov 8, 2006

Im A Tx Nurse At A Nursing Home..we Have Used The Kci And Blue Sky Wound Vacs....the Blue Sky Is The Best In My Opinion..they Worked Wonders On The Wounds.......

scrn99 · Nov 13, 2006

i am a nurse in new york and, while I can understand the difficulties regarding supplies, equipment, cost, etc., there is NOTHING comparable to the VAC for negative pressure wound therapy. It seems like a lot of nurses need to be educated on this subject and perhaps wound care in general. All aspects of the dressing application, the foam (its not a sponge - it is hydrophobic and allows fluid to pass through it) and the application of negative pressure evenly to the wound bed atconsistent and measurable rates is crucial to results. Gauze only soaks up edudate and actually hinders removal and using other systems is paying for suction (which you already have) because that is all you are getting! I would urge you to contact KCI and have one of their RN consultants come in and provide inservice and education for you and your staff.

sharlynn · Nov 18, 2006

would like to be able to know about where to look to be trained as wound nurse so can use in my home health.

Check out WCEI. The ads are evereywhere. One week course is expensive, but most employers will at least share the cost. Even mine kicked in $1000 after I took it. It is definitely worth every penny and you have ongoing support available either by phone or e-mail afterward.

One tip, Check out other motels nearby. I stayed at one a block away for less than half their discounted rate and it was much quieter,too. There's lots of homework, so quiet was very good!

Tugdog · Jan 8, 2007

Im A Tx Nurse At A Nursing Home..we Have Used The Kci And Blue Sky Wound Vacs....the Blue Sky Is The Best In My Opinion..they Worked Wonders On The Wounds.......

Please continue...we are a HH/DME/Infusion provider, and I've just begun exploring the KCI and Blue Sky products. It appears that there are strengths and weaknesses regarding different scenarios (e.g., tunneling wounds, KCI patented sponges), but we would like to purchase this equipment, which is not possible with KCI (to my limited knowledge). The problem is that KCI appears to be more well known in this area, so what can I offer re: Blue Sky as an alternative?

IngyRN · Jan 29, 2007

I am a case manager on a surgical unit. We work very closely with plastic surgeons and they will ONLY order KCI due to poor wound healing with other manufactorers like Blue Sky or Specialty Medical Equipment. Also, unfortunately I have seen 2 patients discharged to SNF's with specific KCI wound vac orders and have returned with poor wound healing and wound infections because the SNF did not use the wound vac and used what appeared to be a technique mentioned in a previous post using suction. If the order is for the VAC why would you consider alternative methods? Unless the wound isnt healing> then wouldnt it be up to the MD to change the wound care orders?

Tugdog · Jan 29, 2007

Thanks for your response, I should clarify that we would not supercede doctor's orders, however, as a medical supply/DME provider, we want to offer our referral sources (case managers / discharge planners) a number of choices to accommodate different patient / wound scenarios. That is why I am seeking your experiences with different equipment. Somebody tell me what's the difference between a wound vac (generic term) and a suction device for wounds. Am I talking apples and oranges here? What about the Medela unit. They are well regarded for their breast pumps, but what about their wound care products?