V.A.C. Therapy Patient Information Booklet Feb 2011

Your Personal V.A.C.® Therapy Guide Your treating medical professional has determined that you require V.A.C.® Therapy to help promote the healing of your wound. This booklet will provide you with helpful information on how V.A.C.® Therapy works, the operation of your V.A.C.® Therapy unit, understanding your dressings and tips on how to ensure you achieve the best possible outcomes with V.A.C.® Therapy. Please keep this booklet where you can easily find it. As with any medical device, it is important that you discuss this information or any questions you might have about your therapy with your treating medical professional. If, however, you have any product-related questions about V.A.C.® Therapy after reading this booklet, please call KCI Medical Australia on our 24-hour toll free number 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822). If you have immediate medical concerns, please call your treating medical professional. This V.A.C.® Therapy Patient Information Booklet is provided by KCI as a summary for certain information related to your use of the V.A.C.® Therapy System. This booklet has been delivered to you by your treating medical professional. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to product use, operation and placement. Please consult your treating medical professional regarding specific questions and important information related to V.A.C.® Therapy System indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and operation.

1

Table of Contents 1. Company Information 2. What is V.A.C.® Therapy? 3. How does V.A.C.® Therapy Work? 4. Frequently Asked Questions 5. V.A.C.® Therapy at Home 6. Alarm Information 7. Daily Tips 8. Delivery & Return of V.A.C.® Therapy units 9. V.A.C.® Therapy Patient Safety Information 10. Information for Family Members & Carers

3 4 5 6-7 8 9 10 11 12-13 14

2

Company Information Who is KCI? For more than 30 years, KCI has been at the forefront of advanced healing technology that benefits patients, families, carers and healthcare providers alike. KCI therapies, products and support are making a difference across all care situations in many countries around the world. We design, manufacture, market and service a wide spectrum of innovative products that aim to improve clinical outcomes while helping to reduce the overall costs of care - all backed by a worldwide network of service and clinical support. Our worldwide commitment is focused on making a difference to the lives of patients both today and tomorrow. KCI Australia play an active role in the wound healing process whether this is within a hospital setting or within the patient’s home. We are dedicated to continuous innovation in order to improve the quality of our products so that our patients can receive the most effective treatments. Support for Australian Patients 24 Hours per Day, 365 Days per Year KCI Australia is committed to ensuring patients have access to a member of our Customer Care Team and our Clinical Support Educators 24-hours per day, 7-days a week, 365-days per year, for any technical and product related queries. For all product-related and technical support please do not hesitate to contact our toll free number, 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822) at any time. Alternatively please email us at [email protected] Should your call be outside of our normal business hours, simply follow the prompt for after-hours support messaging service and leave your contact details with the phone representative. Your call will then be returned by a Technical or Clinical Support team member on-call as quickly as possible. For any medical questions, please contact your treating medical professional directly.

3

What is V.A.C.® Therapy? V.A.C.® is short for Vacuum Assisted Closure. V.A.C.® Therapy promotes wound healing through Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT). By delivering negative pressure (a vacuum) at the wound site through a patented dressing, this helps facilitate wound healing by drawing wound edges together, removing infectious materials and actively promoting granulation at the cellular level. V.A.C. Therapy is made up of 4 components: 1. Therapy unit with a canister to hold fluid (Fig 1) 2. SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad with tubing to connect the unit and the foam (Fig 2) 3. Foam dressing (Fig 3) 4. V.A.C.® Drape (Fig 4) Therapy Unit & Canister The therapy unit is the ‘brain’ of the integrated V.A.C.® Therapy system. It manages, measures and records the negative pressure, and alarms you if there is a problem. Fig. 1

SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad and Tubing Excess fluid and potentially infectious materials are removed from the wound through the SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad and into the canister. Fig. 2

Foam Dressings

Fig. 3

The V.A.C.® Dressings are an essential part of the therapy system. They work at a physical and biological level in combination with the negative pressure to promote wound healing.Your treating Medical Professional will choose between V.A.C.® GranuFoam™, V.A.C.® WhiteFoam or V.A.C.® GranuFoam Silver® as appropriate.

V.A.C.® Drape The V.A.C.® Drape is an adhesive layer spread across the foam dressing, ensuring a closed, moist wound healing environment. Fig. 4

4

How does V.A.C.® Therapy work? The V.A.C.® Therapy foam dressing is placed in or onto the wound. The foam will be one, or a combination of, the foams outlined on page 4. The choice of foam will be made by your treating medical professional and will depend on the type, size and/or location of your wound, and the wound healing objectives required. The foam and a few centimetres of the surrounding skin will be covered with clear drape. A hole will be cut in the centre of the drape and your SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad will be placed on top of it. The other end of the tubing will be connected to the canister, which is attached to the therapy unit. When the integrated V.A.C.® Therapy System is in place and the unit is turned on, the foam dressing collapses. At this time you might feel a slight pulling sensation. The V.A.C.® Therapy System pulls potentially infectious materials and other fluids from your wound, through the tube, and collects them inside the canister. Delivering negative pressure to your wound through the SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad and V.A.C.® Therapy dressings helps draw wound edges together, removing potentially infectious materials and other fluids from your wound.

InfoV.A.C.® Unit

ActiV.A.C.® Unit

Depending on where you received V.A.C.® Therapy, this unit will either be the InfoV.A.C.® Unit (usually in the hospital), the ActiV.A.C.® Unit (in the hospital or at home) or the V.A.C.Via™ Unit (in the hospital or at home). The V.A.C.® Therapy Clinical Guidelines recommend that V.A.C.® Therapy stays on 24 hours a day so it can continuously deliver its benefits to your wound healing process. However, please follow direct advice from your treating medical professional.

You should check frequently: V.A.C.Via™ Unit

• Is the System on? • Does it say ‘Therapy on’? • Are all the clamps open? • Has the dressing collapsed down?

5

Frequently Asked Questions Q How long will I be receiving V.A.C.® Therapy? A That depends on the type and severity of your wound and your body’s ability to heal wounds. Your treating medical professional is responsible for all clinical decision making regarding your V.A.C.® Therapy. Q How does V.A.C.® Therapy feel? A Many patients report a mild pulling sensation that tends not to be noticeable after about 15 minutes. As the wound heals it may become tender or itchy, this is normally a good sign but if discomfort persists, please contact your treating medical professional. Q How many hours a day must I keep the system on? A It is usually recommended that you remain on V.A.C.® Therapy 24-hours a day, however your treating medical professional will advise on the treatment plan for your wound. If the system must be off for more than two hours at a time, you must consult your treating medical professional. Q How often does the dressing need to be changed? A The V.A.C.® Dressing should be changed once every 48–72 hours, but no less than three times a week. For infected wounds, dressings may need to be changed more often. Your treating medical professional (doctor or nurse) will work with you to establish the best dressing change schedule for you. For skin grafts, remove dressing after 4-5 days. Q Will the dressing change hurt? A Some wound types may cause patients to experience some discomfort. Your treating medical professional can advise you on pain relief.

6

Frequently Asked Questions Q How will the dressing look when the system is operating? A The dressing may shrink down or wrinkle slightly as the system operates. Q How safe is V.A.C.® Therapy? A V.A.C.® Therapy has been used on more than four million wounds around the world. The V.A.C.® Therapy System has been designed with safety as a priority. The interaction of the components ensures a controlled and consistent therapy system when used in accordance with the instructions for use. Q Can I move around? A One clear goal of V.A.C.® Therapy is to keep you as mobile as possible. Yet this depends on the location of the wound and the treatment your treating medical professional has prescribed. Ask your treating medical professional about your personal situation. Q What happens if the system alarms? A The visual alarm describes the nature of the problem and most alarms are easily solved. This is something your treating medical professional can explain and there is more information with regard to alarms on page 9.

7

V.A.C.® Therapy at Home V.A.C.® Therapy Systems are available for use in both the hospital and the home setting. Your treating medical professional will determine if it is appropriate for you to be discharged from the hospital on a V.A.C.® Therapy System. Active with V.A.C.® Both the ActiV.A.C.® Unit and the V.A.C.Via™ Unit allow you to be mobile, carrying out your daily activities in accordance with medical advice, while continuing your wound therapy. Patient transfer from home to hospital Please call your treating medical professional or KCI Customer Service if you are admitted to a hospital, whilst on V.A.C.® Therapy. If you are discontinuing your therapy at home, prior to transferring into a hospital or inpatient facility, please call KCI Customer Service on 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822) to arrange for the pick-up of your V.A.C.® Therapy system used at home. You should contact your treating medical professional to arrange a visit to ensure the unit has been properly removed and all precautions have been taken to ensure that the transfer to the hospital is as safe as possible.

8

Alarm Information What happens if the V.A.C.® Therapy unit alarms? The integrated V.A.C.® Therapy System has both audible and visual alarms that describe the nature of the problem. In most cases, the cause of the alarm is easily resolved. This is something your treating medical professional can explain in more detail before use, so that you are comfortable with this safety system. For your safety, the system will alarm if any of the following occurs:

9

System will alarm if...

Action

Canister is full.

This alarm will sound if the canister is full or if the tubing is kinked or blocked. In this situation, the full canister will be removed and replaced with a new canister.

There is a leak.

You may hear a whistling sound indicating air is entering into the drape. In this scenario, leaks in the drape would be repaired using a new piece of drape.

Battery is low/dead.

Recharge dead battery by plugging the system into the wall outlet.

Therapy is not activated.

Therapy can be re-activated by pressing “Power” to turn unit off, then press again to turn unit on.

Daily Tips • It is recommended that you remain on V.A.C.® Therapy 24-hours a day, unless otherwise directed by your treating medical professional. • V.A.C.® Therapy Clinical Guidelines recommend that you should not be disconnected for more than 2 hours a day. • The clear drape is waterproof and you may wash or shower with dressings in place if: - You are disconnected from the therapy unit. - The tubing is clamped. - You take care not to soak the dressing. • The therapy unit is an electrical system and should not become wet. • If drape becomes soiled, gently clean with mild soap and water. • If the therapy unit is off for more than 15 minutes, the alarm will sound. If you need more time press the alarm delay button. You can reset the alarm as many times as you need. • If the THERAPY ON/OFF button is accidentally turned off, push the same button to turn the unit back on. The system should return to all the right settings and therapy will continue.

Contact KCI Customer Care on 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822) if the alarm will not turn off and you have been unable to solve the problem. Treating medical professional information: Name ___________________________________________________________ Contact Number ___________________________________________________________ For enquries please contact KCI Medical National call centre: 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822) www.kci-medical.com.au 10

Delivery and Collection Delivery of equipment and supplies In co-operation with KCI, your treating medical professional will arrange for the delivery of the V.A.C.® Therapy equipment required for you. A User Manual is provided inside the case. It is very important that you read and understand the User Manual. Your equipment and supplies will be delivered to your home. You will be required to sign a delivery form. Before signing the delivery form, it is very important that you make sure the equipment or supplies listed on the delivery receipt matches what was delivered to your home. If the delivery is incorrect or in poor condition, please alert KCI immediately on 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822) so the situation can be corrected. Handling delivery problems • Damaged Equipment/Supplies – Notify KCI of any damaged equipment or supplies, and arrangements will be made for a service call. • Late Delivery – If your delivery does not arrive on time, call KCI Customer Care on toll free 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822). The delivery source will be contacted during local working hours, to find out when your equipment or supplies will be delivered. Return of equipment and supplies Please call KCI Customer Care to arrange for the return of your V.A.C.® Therapy Unit. KCI Customer Care will issue you with a unique discontinuation number, and will arrange for the V.A.C.® Unit to be collected. The V.A.C.® Unit has been delivered to you in a carry case. Please do not discard the case. The case is needed to safely return the V.A.C.® system to KCI when therapy is discontinued.

The V.A.C.VIA™ Therapy unit can be disposed of after 7 days. Your responsibilities • Notifying KCI of any changes in the agreed delivery schedule. • Notifying KCI and /or your treating medical professional if the equipment is no longer in use or if you have been admitted to a hospital or nursing home.

11

V.A.C.® Therapy Patient Safety Information Notify your treating medical professional immediately if: • You notice a significant change in the colour or consistency of the fluid in your canister. For example, if you see clear drainage turn cloudy or bright red. • You see excessive bleeding under the drape, in the tubing, or in the canister. • You observe increased redness or odour from the wound. • You experience increased pain. • The V.A.C.® Therapy system is left off for more than two hours. • You change your medication. Important • Read and follow all instructions and safety information. • Do not change the settings on the V.A.C.® Therapy unit or change/remove your dressing without your treating medical professional being present. • Do not attempt to service or repair this equipment. If you have any concerns with the V.A.C.® Therapy system, please call KCI Customer Care on toll free 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822). Home safety • Keep all emergency telephone numbers by your phone. • Do not use extension cords with this product. • Do not place the V.A.C.® Therapy unit on a hot surface. • Make sure cords are not in places where people can easily trip over them. • Be careful not to spill liquids on the unit as it is an electrical device and is not waterproof. • Designate a single plug socket for the V.A.C.® Therapy unit.

12

Infection control Your treating medical professional will decide the appropriate V.A.C.® Therapy treatment for you should your wound be infected. Please follow the instructions as given by your treating medical professional concerning infection control. If you think your wound is infected, or if you have any of the following symptoms, call your treating medical professional right away: • • • • •

You have a fever Your wound is sore, red or swollen Your skin itches or you have a rash The area in or around the wound feels very warm Pus or a bad smell is coming from the wound

Allergic reactions V.A.C.® Therapy dressings, drape and canisters are sterile and latex-free. Use these only once and throw them away. In a very small number of cases, some patients experience an allergic reaction to the drape on their skin. If you have any of the following signs contact your treating medical professional for advice and/or a wound review: • • • • •

13

Redness Swelling Rash or hives Severe itching If you have difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical advice.

Family Member Information As a family member, how can you help? As a family member or friend of someone receiving V.A.C.® Therapy, you can support this therapy by reminding the patient of the importance of using V.A.C.® Therapy as prescribed by the treating medical professional. Remember your support and encouragement can make the difference in a speedy recovery.

14

©2011 KCI Licensing, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks designated herein are proprietary to KCI Licensing, Inc. DSL#11-0097.ANZ (2/2011) KCI AUSTRALIA KCI Medical Australia Pty Ltd. Level 7, 15 Orion Road Lane Cove West NSW 2066, Australia 24 hour customer service Tel 1300 KCI VAC (1300 524 822) Fax 1800 524 822 www.kci-medical.com.au