Vacuum assisted closure VAC therapy Dressing change (1328)

What is V.A.C.® Therapy?

V.A.C. Therapy helps a wound heal. It is a system with a soft vacuum in it. It:

• Helps close the wound.
• Removes fluids from the wound.
• Limits the need for daily dressing changes. 

V.A.C. dressing placement

• The dressing goes on or inside the wound.
• One end of the tubing connects to the dressing. The other end connects to the canister that fits into the unit.
• The drape covers the dressing. 

When the dressing is first put on, some children feel a mild pulling. After a few minutes, this goes away.  

Who will change the dressing when my child is in the hospital?

• Your child’s doctor, or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner,  or nurse working with your child’s doctor, will change the dressing when in the hospital.
• The dressing change may be done in the Operating Room or in the treatment room on the unit.
• You and your child will be prepared, no matter where the dressing is changed.

Who will change the dressing when my child is at home?

• Your child's V.A.C. dressing will be changed every few days. The After Visit Summary (AVS) will say how often it will be changed.
• The V.A.C. dressing can be changed:
  o In the clinic, doctor, nurse or physician assistant or nurse practitioner.  
  o In the Operating Room.
  o By a nurse who comes to your home.
• The doctor may ask you to take off the dressing so your child can shower before a new dressing is put back on. Take off the dressing only if the doctor has told you to do so.
• You will be told who will change your child’s V.A.C. dressing.
  
  If your child’s V.A.C. dressing will be changed in the clinic or Operating Room, you will need to bring:

• The V.A.C. therapy unit.
• An extra canister and tubing.
• Extra dressing.
  
  If the old dressing was not removed at home, give your child pain medicine before coming to clinic.

How do I remove the dressing?

Give your child pain medicine 20 minutes before you start to take the dressing off.
1. Gather the supplies.
2. Raise the tubing clamps above the level (higher than) the therapy unit.
3. Close the clamp on the tubing going to the dressing. 
4. Separate the canister tubing and dressing tubing. Let any remaining fluid in the tubing run into the canister.
5. Close the clamp on the tubing going to the therapy unit.
6. Press the THERAPY ON/OFF button to turn the unit off.
7. Wait 30 seconds for the foam to “puff up”.

Note:  At this point, you may take a syringe with one ounce (30 mL) tap water.  Connect it to the tubing that leads to the dressing.  Unclamp the tubing and gently push water up into dressing. Wait 15 minutes and then continue taking the dressing off. 

Remove the drape by gently pulling to the side.  Try not to pull straight up. Gently remove foam from the wound.

Can my child bathe when at home? 

• If the dressing is in place, showering or going into the tub is not allowed. You can simply wash up (like a bed bath).
• Some children are able to bathe when at home on “dressing change days”. Your child’s doctor will tell you if it is OK to take a bath at home.  
• If you have been told to remove the dressing before the clinic visit, it is OK to let your child shower at home before the dressing is put back on at the clinic. 
• See steps listed above to remove dressing.
• Do not let your child soak in a bathtub.
• Use a clean towel to pat the wound dry after the shower.  
• Put a bandage over the open wound.       
• You will need to mail back the ACTIV.A.C. machine.