Procedures and interventions of nurses/technicians in treating patients with negative pressure therapy

Vacuum assisted closure (VAC) is a negative pressure therapy for the treatment of wounds. The VAC system of wound treatment improves tissue perfusion by 30% within the wound and by 15% in tissue surrounding the wound, reduces oedema, significantly reduces the number of bacteria in the wound, including MRSA. It significantly reduces the changes of graft rejection and is therefore a preferred method used by plastic surgeons in skin transplants.

The settings of the VAC devices are determined by the specialist based on the assessment of the patient's condition and the state of the wound. The nurse or technician actively participates in the procedure to set up the VAC device, monitors the site of device installation from set up until removal, is constantly present and is the only person to have 24-hour insight into the condition of the wound.

In comprehensive patient care during medical procedures and in interventional medicine, the nurse and technicians provide systematic interventions aimed at supporting and optimising the patient’s condition, preventing any complications of existing illness from arising, ensuring targeted care of the wound, reducing pain and improving patient mobility and satisfaction, all with the objective of achieving a satisfactory functional and aesthetic result.

The objective of this article is to describe the purpose and basic characteristics of the procedure. The paper outlines the assessment of the patient’s condition, description of procedure planning and implementation, description of the necessary instruments and materials. The nurse/technician must have specific knowledge to implement the procedure.