KCI NPWT Sicherheitshinweise, Anwendungsanweisungen Seite 5

Gauze Removal: KCI® NPWT Gauze Dressings
are not bioabsorbable. Always count the total
number of pieces of gauze removed from
the wound and ensure the same number of
gauze pieces are removed as were placed.
Gauze left in the wound for greater than the
recommended time period may foster ingrowth
of tissue into the gauze, create di culty in
removing gauze from the wound or lead to
infection or other adverse events. If gauze
adheres to wound consider introducing sterile
water or normal saline into the gauze, waiting
15 - 30 minutes, then gently removing the
gauze from the wound. Regardless of treatment
modality, disruption of the new granulation
tissue during any dressing change may result
in bleeding at the wound site. Minor bleeding
may be observed and considered expected.
However, patients with increased risk of
bleeding, as described on the previous page,
have a potential for more serious bleeding
from the wound site. As a precautionary
step, consider using a meshed non-adherent
material underneath the KCI® NPWT Gauze
Dressing to help minimize the potential for
bleeding at dressing removal in these patients.
If signi cant bleeding develops, immediately
discontinue the use of NPWT, take measures
to stop the bleeding and do not remove the
KCI® NPWT Gauze Dressing until the treating
physician or surgeon is consulted. Do not
resume the use of NPWT until adequate
hemostasis has been achieved, and the
patient is not at risk for continued bleeding.
Keep Therapy On: NPWT should remain on
in the CONTINUOUS mode for the duration
of the treatment. There may be situations
when the patient needs to be disconnected
from the V.A.C.® Therapy Unit (for example, for
activities of daily living and diagnostic testing).
If the patient needs to be disconnected, the
tubing should be clamped and the ends of
the tubing protected. How long patients may
be disconnected from the V.A.C.® Therapy
Unit is a clinical decision based on individual
characteristics of the patient and the wound.
Factors to be considered would include;
amount of drainage, location of the wound,
integrity of the dressing seal, assessment of
bacterial burden in the wound and patient's risk
of infection.
Acrylic Adhesive: The V.A.C.® Drape has an
acrylic adhesive coating, which may present
a risk of an adverse reaction in patients
who are allergic or hypersensitive to acrylic
adhesives. If a patient has a known allergy or
hypersensitivity to such adhesives, do not use
the V.A.C.® Drape. If any signs of allergic reaction
or hypersensitivity develop, such as redness,
swelling, rash, urticaria, or signi cant pruritus,
discontinue use and consult a physician
immediately. If bronchospasm or more
serious signs of allergic reaction appear, seek
immediate medical assistance.
De brillation: Remove the dressing material if
de brillation is required in the area of dressing
placement. Failure to remove the dressing may
inhibit transmission of electrical energy and / or
patient resuscitation.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)—
•
Therapy Unit: The V.A.C.® Therapy Unit is
MR unsafe. Do not take the V.A.C.® Therapy
Unit into the MR environment.
•
Dressings: KCI® NPWT Gauze Dressings
can typically remain on the patient with
minimal risk in an MR environment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO): Do not
take the V.A.C.® Therapy Unit into a hyperbaric
oxygen chamber. The V.A.C.® Therapy Unit is not
designed for this environment and should be
considered a re hazard. After disconnecting
the V.A.C.® Therapy Unit, either (i) replace the
KCI® NPWT Gauze Dressing with another HBO
compatible material during the hyperbaric
treatment or (ii) cover the unclamped end of
the tubing with dry gauze. For HBO therapy, the
tubing must not be clamped.
Not for use with Instillation Therapy: The KCI®
NPWT Gauze Dressing was not designed for
this purpose. Instillation into the wound while
using the KCI® NPWT Gauze Dressing may result
in pooling of uid and / or oversaturation of
gauze which may result in maceration.
PRECAUTIONS
Standard Precautions: To reduce the risk of
transmission of blood borne pathogens, apply
standard precautions for infection control with
all patients, per institutional protocol, regardless
of their diagnosis or presumed infection status.
In addition to gloves, use gown and goggles if
exposure to body uids is likely.
Patient Size and Weight: The size and weight
of the patient should be considered when
prescribing NPWT. Infants, children, certain
small adults and elderly patients should be
closely monitored for uid loss and dehydration.
Also, patients with highly exudating wounds or
large wounds in relation to the patient size and
weight should be closely monitored, as these
patients have a risk of excessive uid loss and
dehydration. When monitoring uid output,
consider the volume of uid in both the tubing
and canister.
Spinal Cord Injury: In the event a patient
experiences autonomic dysre exia (sudden
changes in blood pressure or heart rate in
response to stimulation of the sympathetic
nervous system), discontinue NPWT to help
minimize sensory stimulation and seek
immediate medical assistance.
Bradycardia: To minimize the risk of
bradycardia, NPWT must not be placed in
proximity to the vagus nerve.
Enteric Fistulas: Wounds with enteric stulas
require special precautions to optimize NPWT.
NPWT is not recommended if enteric stula
e uent management or containment is the
sole goal of therapy.
Protect Periwound Skin: Consider use of a skin
preparation product to protect periwound skin.
Do not allow gauze to overlap onto intact skin.
Protect fragile / friable periwound skin with
additional V.A.C.® Drape, hydrocolloid or other
transparent lm.
•
Multiple layers of the V.A.C.® Drape may
decrease the moisture vapor transmission
rate, which may increase the risk of
maceration.
•
If any signs of irritation or sensitivity
to the drape, gauze or tubing assembly
appear, discontinue use and consult a
physician.
•
To avoid trauma to the periwound skin,
do not pull or stretch the drape over the
gauze during drape application.
•
Extra caution should be used for patients
with neuropathic etiologies or circulatory
compromise.
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