- Overview
- Products
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
- Wound Dressings and Compression
- Skin Care
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- Sterilization Monitoring
- Temperature Management
- Adhesive Securement
- Patient Monitoring
- Respiratory Protection
- Securement and Immobilization
- Prevention
- Pressure Injuries
- Adhesive Skin Damage
- Moisture Associated Skin Damage
- Bloodstream Infections
- Hypothermia
- Tube and Line Dislodgement
- Cross Contamination
- Electrode-Related Alarm Fatigue
- Hand Hygiene
- Treatment
- Pressure Injuries
- Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Venous Leg Ulcers
- Traumatic Wounds
- Surgical Incisions
- Open Abdomen
- Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis
- Edema and Lymphedema
- Oncology Care
- C. difficile infection
- Resources
- Education
- Support
Welcome to the next step
in your healing journey.
If you have questions about the benefits or the risks of
3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy, please contact your healthcare provider.
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Use the MyWoundHealing™ Mobile App to help manage your V.A.C.® Therapy
We're here to support you when you need us most.
Having a wound can be a challenging and scary experience, but your doctor feels that V.A.C.® Therapy is an appropriate way to manage your wound. This site was developed to help you better understand V.A.C.® Therapy and provide you with best use practices once the therapy is prescribed by your doctor.
V.A.C.® TherapyDownload the MyWoundHealing™ App:
One of the most important aspects of healing is to be an active participant in the process.
Where are you on your healing journey?
I'm starting V.A.C.® Therapy
V.A.C.® Therapy is a medical device that promotes wound healing by applying negative pressure (a vacuum) to your wound. Your wound is covered by a dressing that protects the injured area. The V.A.C.® Therapy works by bringing together your wound edges, removing blood and fluid that may contain infectious substances, and promoting new tissue growth, also called granulation.
For several years clinicians have worked with 3M to understand the optimal amount of negative pressure to apply to a wound to promote healing while not causing additional damage to the wound. Think of this like you think about your medicine. If you take too much, you can get sicker. If you don't take enough, the medicine won't work as well. The same applies to negative pressure and the management of the wound. For that reason, it is important that you do not change the settings on your V.A.C.® Therapy Unit unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. These settings control how much negative pressure is applied to your wound. Also, never remove your wound covering unless told to do so by your doctor or nurse.
To give your wound the best chance to heal while on V.A.C.® Therapy, you should leave the unit running and on the wound for a least 22 hours every day. That may seem like a lot of time, but this helps to promote healing.
I'm starting V.A.C.® Therapy FAQs
We’ve collected a list of common questions about starting on V.A.C.® Therapy. You can contact us if your question is not addressed here.
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How long will it take to heal my wound?
The length of time to heal a wound is different for every patient. General conditions, size, location of the wound and nutritional status can affect the time it takes for a wound to heal. To give your wound the best chance to heal while on V.A.C.® Therapy, you should leave the unit running and on the wound for at least 22 hours every day. That may seem like a lot of time, but this helps to promote healing. Your doctor or nurse will discuss when and why V.A.C.® Therapy may end.
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Why V.A.C.® Therapy?
V.A.C.® Therapy has created an environment that helps to promote wound healing for millions of patients worldwide. Doctors, nurses, and hospitals all rely on V.A.C.® Therapy as an advanced wound therapy to help their patients heal.
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What is V.A.C.® Therapy?
The V.A.C.® Therapy is a medical device system that helps wound heal by delivering negative pressure (a vacuum) to the wound through a special dressing and therapy unit. This creates an environment that promotes the wound healing process.
This negative pressure helps:
- Draw wound edges together
- Remove wound fluids and infectious materials
- Promote granulation tissue formation (the connective tissues in healing wounds)
V.A.C.® Therapy is a medical device system that delivers negative pressure (a vacuum) to the wound through a special dressing and therapy unit, which creates an environment that promotes wound healing:
- Provide a moist wound healing environment
- Reduce wound odor
- Reduce the need for daily dressing changes -
How does V.A.C.® Therapy feel?
Most patients describe V.A.C.® Therapy as a non-painful, mild pulling sensation that, in most cases, is not noticeable after a few minutes. Wound comfort may vary by individual person. The wound may become tender or itch as it heals; this is usually a good sign. If itching or discomfort persists, please call your doctor.
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Can you move around while on V.A.C.® Therapy?
Yes. The V.A.C.® Therapy is lightweight and was specifically designed to provide flexibility and freedom of mobility, your ability to move around depends on your condition, the wound location and the treatment your doctor has prescribed.
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What does the foam dressing look like when V.A.C.® Therapy is on?
Your doctor may prescribe 3M™ V.A.C.® Granufoam™ Dressing or 3M™ V.A.C.® Whitefoam™ Dressing for your wound type. The V.A.C.® Granufoam™ Dressing will shrink down and wrinkle like a raisin when V.A.C.® Therapy is working. The V.A.C.® Whitefoam Dressing may only have a few wrinkles.
I'm using V.A.C.® Therapy FAQs
Proper wound care management is needed to heal your wound. Your doctor has prescribed a V.A.C.® Therapy System for your care. A doctor or nurse is responsible for directing the use of the system, including therapy application and dressing changes. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions from patients on V.A.C.® Therapy.
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How can my caregiver be helpful?
A family caregiver or friend can help you by reminding you how important it is to keep your V.A.C.® Therapy on. Also, when directed by your doctor or nurse and only after proper training your caregiver can assist in.
- Canister changes
- Responding to therapy unit alarms
- Monitoring the therapy
- Reordering supplies -
Who do I call in case of emergency?
First, call your local emergency number (i.e. 911). After you call local emergency, call your doctor or nurse. For all other concerns, refer to the Patient Safety Information in the Therapy Information Guide provided with your 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy Unit.
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How do I order supplies?
When you are down to one case of dressings or five canisters, you can order more supplies using MyWoundHealing™ Mobile App to enter your order or call directly at 1-800-275-4524 to order more. Please allow at least 3-5 business days for delivery.
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How to properly use the 3M™ ActiV.A.C.™ Therapy System carrying case
Carrying caseThere are 2 different types of ActiV.A.C. Therapy System carrying cases, which vary by the type of therapy unit you have. Position the unit so that the touch screen, power button and charge port are visible through the cut-outs on the carrying case.
- Keep the therapy unit in the upright position.
- Keep the therapy unit in the carrying case when in use.
- Keep the touch screen facing up if the therapy unit is placed on a level surface such as a table. Use the adjustable strap to wear the carrying case across your chest.
Do not wrap the carrying case strap, power cord or dressing tubing around neck. -
3M™ ActiV.A.C.™ Therapy System – Battery life and charging
Battery Charging InstructionsActiV.A.C. Therapy System contains a rechargeable battery. This battery is charged using the power supply and cord that comes with the unit. The battery is not user accessible or serviceable. To avoid damage to the therapy unit, use only the power supply and cord that come with the unit.It should take about 6 hours to fully charge the battery. Once fully charged the therapy unit will provide up to 14 hours of use.
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Caring for your ActiV.A.C. Therapy Unit
Care and CleaningIt is recommended that you clean your ActiV.A.C. Therapy Unit weekly.Cleaning the touch screen1. Press the Screen Guard button on the Home screen.
2. Use a soft cloth to gently clean the touch screen.
3. Press the 1 button then the 2 button on the Screen Guard screen to return to the Home screen.
- Do not use any liquid on the touch screen
- Do not press too hard on the touch screen while cleaning.Cleaning the therapy unit1. Unplug the therapy unit.
2. Clean the therapy unit and carrying case with a damp cloth and mild soap and water solution.
- Do not use bleach. -
Leak Alarm
This alarm is fixed by finding and stopping the leak.
1. Check the tubing connectors between the dressing and the canister. Make sure they are properly locked.
2. Make sure the canister is properly installed onto the therapy unit. When the canister is properly installed, it cannot be removed by gently pulling it away from the unit.
3. Use the 3M™ Seal Check™ Button to find the leak at the dressing.
4. Make sure your therapy is on.
5. Using light pressure, move your hand and fingers slowly around the edges of the drape and the 3M™ SensaT.R.A.C.™ Pad.
6. Watch the bar graph and listen to the audible tone. The bar will get shorter and the frequency of the audible tone will decrease when the leak is found.
7. If the leak persists or you cannot find the leak, call your doctor, nurse or 1-800-275-4524. -
Battery critical alarm
This alarm is fixed by recharging the battery.
1. Connect the therapy unit to a wall outlet using the power supply.
2. Press Reset to return to the Patient Mode Home Screen.
3. Make sure your therapy is on. The On/Off button will be green.
4. Press the On/Off button to restart therapy if needed. -
Canister full therapy interrupted alarm
This alarm is fixed by changing the canister.
1. Use the graduated marks on the canister to check the fluid level. A full canister is about 300 mL.
2. If the canister is not full, press Cancel.
3. If the canister is full, change the canister.
4. Press Reset to return to the Patient Mode Home Screen.
5. Restart therapy by pressing On/Off. -
Canister not engaged alarm
This alarm is fixed by reinstalling the canister.
1. Press the canister latch to remove the canister. Inspect the canister and therapy unit for:
- Debris between canister and therapy unit
- Two silicone seals
- Two canister bumpers
3. If seals or bumpers are missing contact 3M.
4. Reinstall the canister, make sure that it is fully engaged and latched. An audible click should be heard when the canister is properly installed.
5. Press Reset to return to the Home Screen.
6. Press On/Off to restart therapy.
7. If the alarm cannot be fixed, call 1-800-275-4524 or your healthcare provider. -
Blockage alarm therapy interrupted
This alarm is fixed by checking the tubing for crimps kinks or blockages.
1. Make sure both clamps on the tubing are open.
2. Make sure the tubing is not kinked, crimped, or blocked in any way.
3. If the Blockage Alarm Therapy Interrupted remains after completing steps 1 and 2, lower the therapy unit and tubing to level with or below the wound site.
4. Press Reset to return to the Patient Mode Home Screen.
5. If the alarm persists or you cannot find the blockage, call 1-800-275-4524 or your healthcare provider. -
Low pressure alarm therapy interrupted
This alarm is fixed by checking the tubing.
1. Make sure both clamps on the tubing are open.
2. Make sure the tubing is not kinked, crimped, or blocked in any way.
3. If the Low-Pressure Therapy Interrupted Alarm remains after completing steps 1 and 2, lower the therapy unit and tubing to level with or below the wound site.
4. Press Reset to return to the Patient Mode Home Screen.
5. If the alarm persists or you cannot find the blockage, call 1-800-275-4524 or your healthcare provider. -
Therapy inactive alarm
This alarm is fixed by restarting therapy.
1. Press Reset to return to the Patient Mode Home Screen.
2. Press On/Off to restart therapy.
If therapy is not desired, turn the therapy unit off using the power button on the front of the unit.
Warning: If the therapy unit will be off for more than two hours, call your doctor or nurse right away. Without power to the therapy unit, your dressing will need to be replaced -
System error alarm
This alarm is fixed by restarting the therapy unit.
1. Record the error number.
2. Turn the unit Off and then On using the Power button on the front of the unit. If the alarm persists, call 1-800-275-4524. Be sure to give them the error number.
Warning: If the therapy unit will be off for more than two hours, call your doctor or nurse right away. Without power to the therapy unit, your dressing will need to be replaced -
Service timer expired alert
This alarm is fixed by restarting the therapy unit.
1. Record the error number.
2. Turn the unit Off and then On using the Power button on the front of the unit. If the alarm persists, call 1-800-275-4524. Be sure to give them the error number.
Warning: If the therapy unit will be off for more than two hours, call your doctor or nurse right away. Without power to the therapy unit, your dressing will need to be replaced
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I've finished V.A.C.® Therapy
After V.A.C.® Therapy is complete, it is likely that your body is still healing. Your doctor may have suggested another type of wound dressing to help you continue healing, or may even perform surgery such as applying a skin graft.
It is important to understand that your body is still working to become whole again and it is important that you protect the skin and surrounding area from reinjury. This area will never be as strong as it once was so you need to be extra careful. Keep a close eye on the wound site and inform your doctor or nurse if the wound seems to look worse. Below are a few questions many ask when they have finished V.A.C.® Therapy.
I’ve finished V.A.C.® Therapy FAQs
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What do I do when my V.A.C.® Therapy is completed?
1. Disposable items (e.g. tubing, connectors, clamps, canisters, dressings, booklets, fabric carrying case), whether used or unused, should not be returned to 3M. Instead, they should be discarded per state, local, regional and national laws and regulations. Your healthcare provider can help with this information.
2. Place the ActiV.A.C. Therapy Unit and power cord into the black hard case.
3. Place the case into the blue shipping bag. The prepaid shipping label comes attached to the blue shipping bag.
4. Drop off at your local shipping location using the pre-paid label. There is no cost to you. If you are unable to drop off at your local courier shipping location, please contact 3M at 1-800-275-4524, press 2, 45995# 24/7 and 3M will coordinate the return. Do not call the shipping courier directly this may result in you being charged. -
Is there any way to prevent this from happening again?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle including proper diet and exercise routine are key to managing your condition and may help to reduce the potential for wound recurrence.
- Work with your doctor to create a meal plan specific to your condition, that you can maintain
- Make monitoring of your blood pressure and blood sugar a daily routine
- Work with your doctor on a recommended daily exercise routine
- If you are a smoker, ask about smoking cessation programs
- Check your feet daily for sores, inform your doctor if one occurs
These are just some of the recommended steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ask your doctor or nurse for daily tasks specific to your condition. -
How long will I have to manage this wound?
The length of time to heal a wound is different for every patient. General conditions, size and location of the wound, and nutritional status can affect the time it takes for a wound to heal. Your doctor will determine when your wound treatment will end.
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What are the next steps in my wound care?
Review your wound care plan with your doctor or nurse at your next visit. Determine if the nurse from your doctor's office, home health agency or a wound care clinic will be changing your wound dressing after V.A.C.® Therapy.
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Do any support platforms exist for individuals with my condition?
Look for support groups on popular social media platforms, or ask your doctor to recommend a support group appropriate for your condition.
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How do I create a record of my wound so I can show my doctor?
The MyWoundHealing™ Mobile App has a user friendly tool available to help you journal your wound progress called My Healing Tracking. Ask your nurse or caregiver to assist you in capturing an image and measurements at each dressing change to review with your doctor at your next visit.
Key Features of MyWoundHealing
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Track your progress
Capture images and measurements to a digital journey, making it easy to track wound healing progress over time. If you need help, you can ask your nurse or caregiver for assistance.
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Get help with your device
Learn how to troubleshoot alarms and find answers to common questions.
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Easily reorder supplies
Order V.A.C.® Therapy supplies when you are running low or review a previous order status.
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Education on V.A.C.® Therapy
Learn more about how V.A.C.® Therapy creates an environment that promotes wound healing and what to expect during your treatment with educational content and videos.
Need help?
Contact Customer Service Center
Contact us by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
NOTE: Specific indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and safety information exist for 3M products and therapies. Please consult a clinician and product instructions for use prior to application. Rx only.
Patients should consult with their healthcare provider regarding their specific medical conditions and treatments, including the risks and benefits of certain products and services that may be discussed in the following video.
