We have been using KCI wound vacs for the past several years. Last week we got a new resident on our rehab unit directly from the wound clinic. We knew he was coming with a would vac from a different company. The company is called Blue Sky or Sky Blue! It is the same principal, but I'm not sure it works as well. They use Tegaderm and another product from Medline ( which is suppose to be cheaper). The pump is not as complicated as KCI. I placed the vac on with the reps from Blue Sky originally last friday. It happens to be 3 foot ulcers. One on the sole of his foot and 2 over the mallolus and they need to be bridged. We had to moisten a gauze impermeated with an antibacterial.There is a long tube that has a flat end with many holes in it. The gauze gets wrapped around this and then a strip of stomahesive is used to keep the tegaderm sealed. The other end of the tube goes to the pump! I feel like it is so much more time consuming than the KCI, ( too many steps). Then yesterday, I changed the vac again ( he went to the wound clinic also this week), I found the wound to be macerated and very pale looking. The Dr didn't seem to be concerned.
My question is, have any of you used this product? and how do you think it compares to KCI?
Believe me, if somehing is cheaper and works, I'm all for saving money, especially when it comes out of my tax dollar!
We have not had impressive results with the "Blue Sky" (now owned by Smith and Nephew and called Vista) and went back to KCI. We usually have 15-20 patients a week on VAC at our outpatient wound care center. Also, KCI has better support services to the patient and the facility.
SassyJessann
2 Posts
We have not had impressive results with the "Blue Sky" (now owned by Smith and Nephew and called Vista) and went back to KCI. We usually have 15-20 patients a week on VAC at our outpatient wound care center. Also, KCI has better support services to the patient and the facility.