8
8. Precautions
8.1) Be aware for any of the following conditions:
There are additional conditions to take into account before using Negative
Pressure Wound Therapy, such as:
1. BLEEDING: There is a risk of bleeding/hemorrhaging with negative
pressure wound therapy. If hemostasis cannot be achieved, if the patient
is on anticoagulants or platelet aggregation factors, or if the patient has
friable blood vessels or infected vascular anastomosis, he or she may
have an increased risk of bleeding; accordingly these patients should be
treated in an inpatient care facility per their treating physician.
If active bleeding develops suddenly or in large amounts during
therapy, immediately disconnect the pump, leave the extriCARE
®
wound
dressings in place, and take measures to stop bleeding. Seek medical
attention immediately.
2. VESSEL AND BONE PROTECTION: Precautionary measures should be
taken if any bones, vessels, ligaments or tendons are exposed.
Additionally, sharp edges (due to bone fragments) require special
attention; these areas should be covered and smoothed wherever
possible. These conditions should be factored into the therapy
prescription as the attending clinician sees fit.
3. ENVIRONMENT:
The extriCARE
®
system should not be used in an magnetic resonance im-
aging (MRI) environment, in hyperbaric chamber environment (HBO), nor
with defibrillation. Please disconnect device and/or remove dressings as
instructed by your physician if these situations arise.
4. INFECTION: Infected wounds and osteomyelitis pose significant
risks for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. If untreated osteomyelitis is
present, therapy should not be initiated. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
should not be used to treat infections, and all infections should be treated
and addressed prior to using the extriCARE
®
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
System.
5. PATIENT SIZE AND WEIGHT: Patient size and weight should be taken
into account when prescribing therapy. In addition, small adults, young
adults or elderly patients should be closely monitored.
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