Staff nurses' experiences with the use and management of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT): A qualitative study

Background: Despite negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) being used widely both in healthcare facilities as well as in the community, the release of numerous versions of NPWT in the past few years has made its usage increasingly complex.  Staff nurses may now encounter a variety of these brands in various health settings where they work.  Each NPWT brand may also have different versions of their pumps. The pumps also often have unique settings, screens or operating buttons, and dressing supplies. 

Purpose: To explore the staff nurses’ experiences in using and managing NPWT in an acute care inpatient setting. Based on the findings, measures were identified to facilitate the ease of use and management of NPWT.

Methods: In the researchers' acute care facility, nurses who care for patients with NPWT were recruited for the focus group discussions.

Data analysis: Voice recordings of the participants and the transcripts of the discussions were analyzed using data reduction, content and thematic analyses, and verification of findings.

Findings: Nurses who use the NPWT less frequently have challenges using the technology.  Properly documenting the foams used, the settings, and other aspects of therapy; navigating the discharge planning especially with different health insurance companies or for patients with inadequate or no insurance; and accessing the NPWT supplies and resources (e.g., clinicians) especially at nights and weekends were the common themes identified in the discussions.

Implications: Frequent educational sessions with the staff, training NPWT champions, making NPWT supplies readily available in different units, collaborating with case managers and NPWT vendors for discharge planning, simplifying documentation, and collaborating with clinical informatics specialists were the steps identified to facilitate the use of NPWT in this facility.