Any used Vac assisted closure therapy? Stressed isn't the word.

[darkriver19886]

I had emergency surgery two weeks ago. I was given vac assisted closure therapy without any consultation.

Since getting home on Monday I have had my dressings changed 3 times but I keep having problems with the machine it is self. Within 24 hours of it being fitted its beeping at me saying canister not engaged, low pressure alert and other issues.

I have been honest with the nurses at ambulatory care that I am struggling to cope with it.

I was advised to ring 111 over the weekend if I had problems with it. Since 10 am its beeping at me. I rang 111 who referred it to district nurses who haven't called me back.

My next appointment is on Monday to have it changed. I don't know what else to do.

If you don't have a good seal and air gets in it will alarm. Is the drape well stuck down all the way round? Also what brand is it, some of them struggle if the pump is higher than the wound if that makes sense. For context I'm not a clinical person but used to work for the company that makes them. Hope you get it sorted out sounds super frustrating

I would ring back to 111 certainly we would go out to a vac alarming ( community nurse) Vacs can be really useful to maximise wound healing but not if it's alarming all the time and driving you mad!

There will have been a shift change since you phoned so give the. A call back to make sure the message got through.

I rang them back and they said they would chase it up.

Which make is it?

It's the best wound closing device ever. I know it's frustrating but it will heal faster with it.
Keep ringing district nurses, they are best trained to deal with it. They may not have replacement "parts" over the weekend but they will dress your wound correctly in the mean time.

Waves @ScarletBegonia123

Acti Vac

Yep, that’s made by KCI who are the global market leaders. The technology is simple and produces excellent results when used appropriately - but only if it’s working!

It might be worth giving the KCI call centre a ring as they should be able to talk through routine troubleshooting steps. Their numbers for the UK and Ireland are at the bottom of the page here: kciuk.co.uk Of course, the best thing would be proper medical attention to ensure everything’s set up properly and that the dressing has a good seal. I hope they get back to you soon.

District nurse with years of VAC use here. You may be unlucky and have a faulty pump-it happens. Keep trying to get hold of a DN either through 111 (you may have a DN night service in your area) or in the morning via their single point of access. They will be able to help.
Seal is very very important even down to where the tube is placed.
Please don't give up, I have seen some miraculous results using VAC.

Seal is the key, down to professional who placed it usually in my opinion. Sometimes pump malfunctions.

Rang 111 this morning who finally put me through to a district nurse. They didn't ring me back yesterday because, they didn't receive my referral.

She said someone will come out to see me today.

To be honest by 2 am I turned the machine off.

Machine off is fine. The wound is dressed so you will be ok til a DN comes.

9 times out of 10 it's the nurse not doing it properly and getting a good enough seal.

Sometimes if you reenforce the dressing with plastic tape around the edges it can solve the low pressure problem

The DN came and said there was a small leakage at the bottom of the dressing. She has sorted it out. (Hopefully)

So pleased to hear that! You'll soon have that wound healed