Reducing Risks Associated With Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy: Strategies for Clinical Practice

Negative-pressure wound therapy represents a relatively new strategy for wound management. Significant, life-threatening complications (bleeding, infection, and retained dressing material) have been associated with negative-pressure wound therapy. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration published several warnings to negative-pressure wound therapy users and recommended that clinicians ordering, managing, and/or monitoring negative-pressure wound therapy be aware of the potential complications and be prepared to take prompt action to reduce patients’ risk for harm. This article reviews and organizes published consensus, expert opinion, research, and manufacturer guidelines about patient safety during negative-pressure wound therapy relevant to nurses practicing in acute and critical care settings, including in advanced practice roles.