Please discuss any questions or concerns with your wound care professional. Further information about the therapy system can be found inside the carry case, along with an emergency contact telephone number.

What is V.A.C. therapy?

V.A.C. therapy uses negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to help wounds heal.

The system works by sucking the wound fluid and debris through a tube connected to the wound dressing and into a collection canister.

The negative pressure helps wound healing by removing infectious materials and encouraging healthy granulation tissue to grow and fill the wound.

The therapy system consists of four parts:

• therapy unit and canister
• SensaT.R.A.C.™ pad and tubing
• foam or gauze dressing
• V.A.C. drape.

How does V.A.C. therapy work?

Your wound care professional will choose the most appropriate dressing based on the size, depth and location of your wound.

The wound is covered with a V.A.C. drape and connected to the therapy unit using the T.R.A.C. pad and tubing.

The therapy unit is then switched on. You may notice a slight pulling sensation as the negative pressure begins.

Different dressings require different levels of negative pressure. Your wound care professional will adjust the unit to the correct setting for your wound.

The therapy unit then removes wound fluid, which is collected in the canister.

Important information

Clinical guidelines recommend that V.A.C. therapy runs continuously, 24 hours a day.

You can continue to mobilise while using the unit, but the battery should be charged overnight.

The dressing usually needs to be changed every 48 to 72 hours. To make dressing removal easier, the therapy unit should be switched off 20 minutes before the dressing change.

The unit alarm may sound if:

• the canister is full
• there is a leak in the dressing
• the battery is low
• the therapy has stopped.

Tips for successful wound healing

Keep the V.A.C. therapy running 24 hours a day unless you have been advised otherwise by your clinician.

The V.A.C. drape is waterproof and you may shower with the dressing in place.

Before showering:

• clamp the tubing
• disconnect the unit
• avoid soaking the dressing.