Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

  • Overall, there is insufficient evidence in the current literature to support the routine use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for pressure injury healing.
  • The expert panel cannot recommend its use as an adjunctive therapy for the routine treatment of pressure injuries at this time.
  • However, person- and family-centred circumstances should be taken into consideration when the decision to use NPWT is made, including exceptional circumstances (e.g., complications following surgical repair of a pressure injury), caregiver challenges, and the person’s quality of life (e.g., control of large amounts of exudates as a bridge to surgery, reducing the need for frequent dressing changes while the person is at home).
Clinical Management
Assessment and Management of Pressure Injuries for the Interprofessional Team, Third Edition
Point of Care Resources