How Wound Vacs for Wound Therapy Can Speed Your Recovery

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It can be both frustrating and concerning when problem wounds won’t heal. Wound vacs for wound therapy can make a dramatic difference in treatment and may even help save limbs from amputation. This is why it’s an ideal choice for those with non-healing wounds that can easily become infected if not treated in a timely manner. 

At Bladen East, we take advantage of this technology to help speed your recovery. If you’re interested in learning more about our skilled nursing services and how we treat non-healing wounds, we invite you to take the next step and contact us.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the many ways this technique can enable you or your loved one to recover faster. 

How We Speed Your Recovery for Wound Vacs for Wound Therapy

You may have also heard this referred to as negative pressure wound therapy or vacuum-assisted therapy. Its purpose is twofold: it protects the wound and speeds up your body’s own natural healing process. 

We’ll examine some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about wound vac therapy below.

What Is a Wound Vac and How Does It Work?

This medical device gently uses suction to pull bacteria and infected fluid out of a wound. By using a wound vac, health care providers create an environment that fosters faster healing.

Here is the process:

  1. One of our health care providers cleans your wound. This is an opportunity to remove any dead or infected tissue.
  2. Next, a specialized foam dressing is placed over the wound. It’s covered with a transparent film that keeps contaminants out.
  3. A suction tube is attached and is connected to a canister. This canister collects the drainage. 
  4. A small pump then provides negative pressure to the wound. This encourages healthy tissue to form while, at the same time, removing bacteria and contaminants. 

What Are the Benefits of Using a Wound Vac for Wound Therapy?

The greatest benefit is that it speeds healing. Other benefits include:

  • Decreased swelling
  • Less inflammation
  • Decreased risk of bacterial infections
  • Increased blood flow, which also helps speed healing
  • Increased comfort
  • Pulling together of the wound’s edges (gently). This helps the wound close.

While many with non-healing wounds need daily dressing changes, wound vac therapy allows dressings to be changed every 48 to 72 hours. 

What Types of Wounds Should Wound Vacs Be Used On?

This type of wound therapy is recommended for:

  • Chronic or non-healing wounds
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Foot ulcers
  • Burns
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Surgical wounds

At Bladen East, we adopt an individualized approach. We don’t believe in “one size fits all” medicine. Our health care team works closely with your physicians to coordinate a treatment plan tailored just for you. 

At Bladen East, We Can Help Manage Non-Healing Wounds to Speed Your Recovery

We know that non-healing wounds are a serious issue, and quality skilled nursing care is critical to your well-being. That’s why we not only offer the highest level of nursing care, but we do so in a way that recognizes the dignity in every resident. 

You don’t have to face this alone. Let Bladen East’s dedicated team walk with you every step of the way. Schedule a tour today and see why families trust us with the ones they love most.

Key Takeaways:

  • A wound vac uses gentle suction (negative pressure therapy) to remove bacteria and infected fluid, speeding the body’s natural healing process.
  • The process involves cleaning the wound, applying a specialized foam dressing and transparent film, attaching a suction tube and canister, then applying negative pressure via a small pump.
  • Benefits include reduced swelling and inflammation, lower infection risk, improved blood flow, greater comfort, and gentle wound closure.
  • Dressings only need to be changed every 48 to 72 hours with a wound vac, compared to daily changes for many non-healing wounds.
  • Wound vacs are commonly used for chronic wounds, pressure ulcers, foot ulcers, burns, traumatic injuries, and surgical wounds.
  • Bladen East tailors an individualized treatment plan in coordination with each resident’s physicians rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Sources:

Cleveland Clinic, “Negative Pressure Wound Therapy,” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17313-negative-pressure-wound-therapy 

Healthline, “What You Need to Know About Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure (VAC),” https://www.healthline.com/health/wound-vac