Get Back to Living with Help from a Personal NPWT Device

Statement of Problem- The treatment of chronic wounds is a billion dollar industry. We spend upwards of $25 billion a year treating them.¹ The challenges for patients suffering from chronic wounds after discharge from the hospital are many. Returning to a productive life poses unique challenges that involve mobility, cost control and maintaining dignity all while continuing to keep the wound on a healing trajectory and preventing costly complications and readmissions.

Description of Clinical Approach- This patient presented with a Stage 4, mid-thoracic pressure injury measuring 5.8cm X 2.1x 1.1cm with circumferential undermining after a long hospital stay for acute MI, cardiogenic shock, ventilator-dependent respiratory failure, acute renal failure, hemorrhagic shock, serratia and citrobacter pneumonia requiring the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in ICU for 38 days. Advanced wound care dressings were ineffective in healing the wound. A portable, personal NPWT device was implemented upon discharge to home. The patient also required a defibrillator vest that exerted pressure on the wound site. 

Results- The wound healed in a short amount of time with no complications. The unique challenges of the defibrillator vest and the NPWT device were dealt with expertly by the home care nurse and the wound care nurse.  

Conclusions – By implementing the use of a portable, personal NPWT device the patient was able to return to a productive, rewarding life and maintain ADL.  Home care nurses and the wound care nurse from the medical device company collaborated to trouble shoot, educate and follow up on his progress and solve any issues his unique circumstance presented.   The patient is grateful to be alive and celebrate the” best Father’s Day ever” without a wound!