MicroDoc Portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Units in Final Stages of FDA Approval
The Wound Vac Company seeking surgeons to evaluate new wound care system from Pensar Medical
Fernandina Beach, FL – September 10, 2020 — The Wound Vac Company is pleased to announce that the new MicroDoc – a unique, single-patient-use disposable negative pressure wound therapy system that provides portability and discretion for active patients – is now in the final stages of FDA approval. The units, which are made in the U.S. by Pensar Medical, should be universally available in early 2021.
Compared with larger, traditional negative pressure units, these smaller systems are lightweight, ultra-quiet and small enough to fit into a pocket or purse. Powerful yet simple to operate, the MicroDoc supports uninterrupted negative pressure wound therapy for patients during normal, everyday activities.
The Wound Vac Company CEO and founder Scott Bergquist said, "As the Master Distributor for Pensar Medical, we are very excited about introducing their MicroDoc as the first single-patient use negative pressure wound therapy unit with three pressure settings – 50, 80 and 125 mmHg – to treat a wider range of needs and to help patients heal as quickly as possible.”
The MicroDoc units also feature state-of-the-art Enluxtra Adaptive Dressings, which maintain a moist environment necessary for healing wounds while providing superior absorption. As an added benefit, these dressings can help reduce scarring.
“With FDA trials complete, we are actively reaching out to dermatologists, plastic and general surgeons who are interested in partnering with us for patient applications,” said Bergquist. “In case studies thus far, we have found the unit to eliminate the need for constant dressing changes and to bridge the gap between a traditional negative pressure unit and the final phase of wound healing.”
For additional information about the MicroDoc or to inquire about a patient case study, please contact The Wound Vac Company at info@thewoundvaccompany.com or visit thewoundvaccompany.com/portable-microdoc-wound-vac.
COVID-19 Updates: AHCA Webinar Recording Now Available – Updated Guidance for Clinicians
COVID-19 Updates: AHCA Webinar Recording Now Available – Updated Guidance for Clinicians
As concerns arise with the emerging 2019 Coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, the American Healthcare Association (AHCA)/National Centers for Assisted Living (NCAL) are working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure that members receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.
This resource is free and open to AHCA/NCAL members in addition to the public. Membership with AHCA/NCAL is not required to access the materials; however, members of the public will need to create an account to identify personal access to the materials.
To access the AHCA webinar recording from 3/3/20 and learn more, visit: https://educate.ahcancal.org/p/COVID19
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Veterinary Practice
The following article – written by Bonnie Grambow Campbell, DVM, PhD, DACVS College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and Bryden J. Stanley, BVMS, MACVSc, MVetSc, DACVS College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University – was presented at the NAVC Conference in 2012 (Small Animal). This article discusses the existing literature on the use of negative pressure wound therapy in veterinary practice, highlights successful cases and notes NPWT’s benefits in the management of traumatic open wounds, dehiscences, flaps and more, making a case for additional study and research.
https://www.vetfolio.com/learn/article/negative-pressure-wound-therapy-in-practice
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Pets
This article from Petcaresupplies.com outlines the role of negative pressure wound therapy for pet wounds, including the stages of wound healing, how NPWT is used to aid in and promote faster healing, and the types of wounds that are most suitable for negative pressure treatment.
Reducing Workers' Comp Injuries and Costs for Home Health Providers
The following post from VGM Insurance explores the increased risk of on-the-job injuries for home healthcare workers, which is about 50% higher than for hospital staff. The article discusses the correspondingly high rates of workers’ comp insurance for home health agencies, as well as the reasons for additional risk, and explores options for ensuring homecare worker safety, understanding workers’ compensation policies and reducing insurance costs.
How Workers' Compensation & Social Security Disability Interact
The following post outlines how workers’ compensation and social security disability interact. The two benefit systems serve different purposes and are paid for by different entities, but there is often crossover. It’s important to understand how the two work, how they are funded and how to apply, as patients needing negative pressure wound therapy can receive one or both.
https://www.wci360.com/the-interaction-of-workers-compensation-and-social-security-disability/
Case Study: Portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
We are pleased to announce the release of the following case study on the use of the Alaira™ negative pressure device to heal a deeper-depth post-surgical wound. Our special thanks go to Dr. Allen Rosen of The Plastic Surgery Group in Montclair, NJ, for his assistance.
Case Study: Unique Application of Portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on a Deeper-Depth Wound (pdf)
For a text-only version of this study, please click here.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Dog Bites
Each year in the United States, more than 350,000 dog bite victims are seen in emergency rooms (totaling about 1% of all ER visits) and approximately 750,000 bite victims receive medical attention. In addition, dog and other animal bites are prone to infection, leading to complications and longer healing times. In this clinical study, medical staff found that when compared with leaving wounds open, negative pressure wound therapy reduced the infection rate and shortened recovery time for dog bite victims.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735675716001236
Surgical Drains and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Veterinary Medicine
This article (Part 1 in a two-part series) from Today’s Veterinary Practice takes a look at surgical drains used for wounds (traumatic or surgical), drains for peritoneal and pleural spaces, and drains used in negative pressure wound therapy. This first article covers indications for drain use, types, benefits & drawbacks, and common complications.
A Study of the Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Open Wound Management in Dogs
This study showed that healing time was halved in dogs treated with wound vacs, underlining the value of negative pressure wound therapy for complicated wounds.
Abstract:
COMPARISON OF NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY, SILVER COATED FOAM DRESSINGS AND CONVENTIONAL BANDAGES FOR OPEN WOUND MANAGEMENT IN THE DOG
Accepted for publication in Veterinary Comparative Orthopedics and Trauma in November 2014.
Mirja Nolff, Munich, Germany; Michael Fehr, Hannover, Germany; Anika Bolling, Hannover, Germany; Ricarda Dening, Hannover, Germany; Sabine Kramer, Hannover, Germany; Sven Reese, Munich, Germany; Andrea Meyer-Lindenberg, Munich, Germany
Researchers were from: Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction; Department for Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Clinic; Department for Basic Veterinary Sciences; Department for Veterinary Medicine; Clinic for Small Animal Surgery and Reproduction
Presented Friday, May 15, 2015
Free Paper Session: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for treatment of complicated wounds in dogs and to compare it to standard wound therapy.
Method: Dogs (n=50) undergoing open wound treatment in two veterinary centers were classed according to treatment method: bandage (Group A, n= 7), NPWT (Group B, n=18), and foam dressing (Group C, n=25). Pairs of patients matched based on wound conformation, localization and underlying cause were compared between Group A and C (n=7 each) and between groups B and C (n=18 each) in terms of duration of previous treatment, time to closure and complications.
Results / Discussion: Signalment, antibiotic and antiseptic treatment and bacterial status were comparable between groups. The duration of previous treatment was significantly higher in patients assigned to Group B (p=0.04) compared to Group C, while no statistically significant difference was found between groups A and B. Total time to wound closure was significantly shorter in Group C compared to Group A (p=0.02) and in Group B compared to Group C (p = 0.003). NPWT treated wounds suffered significantly less complications (p=0.008) and were significantly less septic during treatment (p=0.016) than wounds treated with a foam dressing.
Conclusion: This study shows that time to healing was halved in NPWT treated animals compared to foam dressing treated patients, which in turn healed faster than patients treated with conventional bandage, underlining the value of NPWT therapy for the treatment of complicated wounds.
Reexamining the Literature on Skin Injuries in End-Of-Life Patients
This article from Advances in Skin & Wound Care synthesizes the literature regarding the concepts of “terminal” skin injuries and wounds – such as pressure injuries & ulcers – found in end-of-life patients.
This article from Advances in Skin & Wound Care synthesizes the literature regarding the concepts of “terminal” skin injuries and wounds found in patients at the end of life. These wounds include terminal ulcers, terminal tissue injuries and skin failure. Also included is a discussion of avoidable and unavoidable pressure injuries and ulcers.
WoundPro® Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Case Studies
This free pdf download features overviews and photos of four case studies using Pensar Medical’s WoundPro® wound vac.
This free pdf download features overviews and photos of four case studies using Pensar Medical’s WoundPro® wound vac. The four wound treatment cases include:
Traumatic foot wound of a 36-year-old male who was struck in the foot by a piece of metal equipment at work
Foot abscess of a 57-year-old Insulin-dependent diabetic male
Pressure ulcer of a 47-year-old quadriplegic male who was initially seen for progressive worsening of open wounds of the sacrum
92-year-old male who developed a Stage 4 decubitus of the right heel while hospitalized for dehydration.
Each case study outlines the treatment plan, how negative pressure wound therapy was used and the results of the wound treatment.
You can download a copy of the pdf by opening the link below, right-clicking and saving to your computer or device by choosing “Save As.”
View pdf
Management and Treatment of Chronic Wounds
This article reviews current practices in chronic wound care & treatment, barriers to wound healing such as infection, and wound healing physiology.
This article, shared by Springer and the National Center for Biotechnology Information, reviews current practices in chronic wound care and treatment, barriers to wound healing (including infection) and wound healing physiology.
Preventing Allegations of Abuse: Keeping Patients, Staff & Your Company Safe
This article discusses the rise in adult abuse cases in skilled nursing facilities & hospitals and what you can do to keep both patients & staff safe.
This article from VGM Insurance Services discusses the rise in adult abuse cases in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals across the country and what you can do to keep both your patients and staff safe, including:
Screening staff carefully
Ensuring staff are properly trained and educated
Reviewing & understanding your insurance coverage, and
Responding to any allegations immediately
How to wrap a short-stretch compression bandage
This video from Advances in Skin & Wound Care shows how to wrap a short-stretch compression bandage for a patient without wounds or skin breakdown.
What happens after a patient is discharged to home? This video from Advances in Skin & Wound Care shows how to wrap a short-stretch compression bandage for a patient without wounds or skin breakdown.
https://journals.lww.com/aswcjournal/Pages/videogallery.aspx?videoId=7&autoPlay=true
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Closed Surgical Incisions
This is a case study in which negative pressure wound therapy was used on clean, closed surgical wounds. Learn more about the outcomes & implications of the use of NPWT for post-surgical patients.
This report from Wound Management and Prevention outlines a case study in which negative pressure wound therapy was used on clean, closed surgical wounds in four high-risk patients (two men, two women). All wounds healed well. Learn more about the study, outcomes and implications of the use of NPWT for post-surgical patients.
https://www.o-wm.com/content/use-negative-pressure-therapy-closed-surgical-incisions-a-case-series
Guidelines for using negative pressure wound therapy safely
This article outlines the importance of using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) correctly for proper wound healing and to ensure patient safety.
This article from Wound Care Advisor outlines the importance of using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) correctly for proper wound healing and to ensure patient safety. They discuss the necessity of using NPWT equipment as directed, following all facility protocols, policies, and procedures, as well as following written orders for use. The article also reviews steps medical staff should take in assessing wound healing and in ensuring that both the wound and wound vac are monitored carefully.
https://woundcareadvisor.com/guidelines-for-safe-negative-pressure-wound-therapy/
How dietary protein aids in wound healing
This article discusses the role of protein & amino acids in wound healing and offers suggestions on ways to ensure patients are getting the nutrition they need for proper wound healing.
This article from Wound Care Advisor discusses the role of nutrition – specifically, protein and amino acids – in healing wounds. Adequate protein is crucial for proper recovery, and the article offers a number of suggestions on ways to increase protein intake and work with patients to ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need for proper wound healing.
https://woundcareadvisor.com/how-dietary-protein-intake-promotes-wound-healing-vol2-no6/
Debridement Options and Wound Treatment
This article reviews the most common options for debridement of wounds, including sharp, surgical, autolytic, mechanical and biosurgical debridement methods.
This article from WoundSource reviews the most common options for debridement of wounds, including sharp debridement, surgical debridement, autolytic debridement, mechanical debridement and biosurgical debridement methods. The article provides an overview of each type, along with considerations for medical staff, and notes the importance of providing patients with sufficient information to select the best option.
https://www.woundsource.com/blog/debridement-options-considerations-in-selecting-debridement-methods
An Introduction to Burn Care (from Advances in Skin & Wound Care)
This article provides an overview of burn wounds and care, including types of burns, size and depth, potential complications, guidelines for referral, treatment and long-term results.
This article, published by Advances in Skin & Wound Care, provides an overview about burns and current burn care, including types of burns, burn size and depth, potential complications, guidelines for referral, treatment of burn wounds and information about long-term results.