Wound Vac

loriangel14, RN · Apr 21, 2015

Ours get changed Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. The VAC beeps when it loses suction.

Mom2boysRN · Apr 21, 2015

We are M-W-F too. It does alarm for different reasons, if you look at the screen it will tell you why it's alarming.

Libby1987 · Apr 21, 2015

KCI has good tutorials on their website, if you're going to be working with them, you'll like having the information. Plus, down the road if you run into something new/different, you'll be familiar with their site and be able to pop on to find what you need. S&N have one as well.

WittySarcasm, BSN · Apr 21, 2015

Wound vacs usually are changed on certain days. The wound nurse or your facility or the doctor will have the days. They do beep for a couple of reasons and it is a musical tune that you will hear. It can be because it is clogged (if the tubing is kinked or locked) or if there is a leak. The vac will tell you what it is on the screen.

If it is a leak you can usually fix it easy and fast. First feel around and if you can't put your ear near it and you can hear a hiss. When you think you found it put your hand or a finger over it and see if the suction gets better. If so place opsite over it until the beep hides away. It may take several pieces depending on where the leak is and how many bendable parts there are.

WittySarcasm, BSN · Apr 21, 2015

Does your facility have you changing it or does a special nurse? Because I can semi explain it since I used to do it all the time at my SNF.

kidzcare · Apr 21, 2015

Ours are change q 2 days and reinforced prn at the SNF I work at

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2015

I had an interesting experience with a "Y" connector. Kept losing suction, could hear the leak. The OR nurse had applied tape that worked temporarily but whenever we moved the tubing it would leak again. The nurse with the patient gave up in frustration and called for a new machine. I took a look, removed all the sticky tape and tried wiggling the tubing. No luck kept losing suction. As I was checking the connections, I noted they had the same little locking device so I switched positions and no more leak even with movement.

Galendria · Apr 23, 2015

Generally (or at least where I have worked), the physician will specify how often the dressing is to be changed in the order, along with how much suction the vac should be set on. Usually wound vacs are changed 3 times a week (either MWF or T/Th/Sat), but occasionally (like if they are placed over incisions or used by plastic surgery) they are changed less frequently. Any time there is a loss of suction, like air leak or disconnected it will beep. And like another poster said, KCL has some great educational material on their website. Best of luck!