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3M™ Veraflo™ Therapy for effective wound care
Learn (4:31 min) how to start smart with 3M™ Veraflo™ Therapy and optimize wound healing for patients with challenging wounds.1
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40% of all wounds are infected or critically colonised.2
Delayed healing and wound complications are a significant care and cost burden.
- In the average 500-bed hospital, infected wounds can add 9.58 days in excess length of stay and $38,656 in additional charges.3
- Costs are expected to rise even more as the population ages and the incidence of comorbid conditions that give rise to wounds increases.4
Empowering positive outcomes with Veraflo Therapy
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Potential for positive clinical outcomes and significant advantages over standard of care, including traditional NPWT 5,6
A systematic review of comparative studies and meta-analysis6 evaluated the performance of Veraflo Therapy versus control in 13 studies and 720 patients with various wound types:
50% reduced length of therapy6,7 (9.88 days vs 21.8 days, p=0.02)
Wounds ready for closure almost twice as fast6,7 (7.88 days vs 14.36 days, p=0.003) Wounds were 2.39 times more likely to close6 (p=0.01)
Reduced bacterial count from baseline.6 Odds were 4.4 times greater (p=0.003) than for controls -
Don’t wait to initiate Veraflo Therapy
A recent article, published in Wounds, suggests initial initiation (within 1 day) of Veraflo Therapy helped improve patient outcomes and reduced care costs versus waiting 2 to 7 days. Patients with Day 1 initiation of Veraflo Therapy reported:8*
- 4.4 days shorter average duration of the NPWT therapy (7.0 vs 11.4†)
- 2.9 days shorter inpatient stay (13.4 vs. 16.3 days†)
- Fewer wound-related readmissions at 30 days (6 vs 16; P = 0.0293) and 60 days (10 vs 24; P = 0.0130)
*A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing a national, all-payer hospital database and included patients who received NPWTi-d (Veraflo Therapy) as an inpatient visit in 2019. A matched cohort of 514 patients who received either early (within 1 day of NPWT application) or late (within 2-7 days of NPWT application) NPWTi-d initiation was created using propensity scoring.
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The use of Veraflo Therapy can potentially reduce costs versus standard of care*
Based upon the meta-analysis by Allen Gabriel, MD et al. an economic model10 was developed to compare the cost of using Veraflo Therapy to traditional wound care options including V.A.C.® Therapy. Despite higher therapy cost of Veraflo Therapy, the reduction in therapy time and required OR visits resulted in a potential savings of 50%, or up to $33,337 per patient.
Note: The model uses select study data to provide an illustration of estimates of costs for use of Veraflo Therapy or Standard of Care (Control). This model is an illustration and not a guarantee of actual individual costs, savings, outcomes or results. The facility is advised to use this model as an illustration only to assist in an overall assessment of products and pricing.
Veraflo Therapy combines trusted V.A.C.® Therapy in combination with the cyclical topical wound solution delivery in order to help manage bioburden and stimulate granulation tissue in one therapy. Veraflo Therapy is delivered through the combination of the V.A.C.® Ulta Therapy Unit and dressings specifically designed for instillation. These dressings provide a wound cleansing option for clinicians when surgical debridement must be delayed or is not possible or appropriate.6
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The V.A.C.® Ulta Therapy Unit is an integrated wound management system that provides four separate and distinct wound treatment options: 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy, Veraflo™ Therapy, 3M™ Prevena™ Therapy and 3M™ AbThera™ Therapy.
- 3M™ Smart Instill™ Feature automatically determines Veraflo Therapy settings, making initiation simple, easy and consistent.
- Preprogrammed therapy settings aligned to global advisory recommendations11
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The V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice Dressing features three foam layers to provide application options for wounds with varying depths, and allows for single or duo pad application. This dressing is ideal for dirty wounds needing active therapy.
How does Veraflo Therapy work?
Veraflo Therapy combines the benefits of V.A.C.® Therapy with an instillation therapy option featuring both automated volumetric delivery of topical wound treatment solutions with a programmable soak feature, which allows solution to dwell in the wound for thorough contact.
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Cleanse
Select the appropriate topical solution for the wound being treated, such as normal saline or wound irrigation solutions and cleansers.
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Dwell
A programmable soak feature allows solutions to dwell in the wound for thorough contact. This helps to soften, separate, and solubilise thick wound exudate and non-viable tissue.10
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Remove
Removes solubilised wound debris and infectious materials under negative pressure.12 In addition, instillation can also lower wound fluid viscosity, which in turn facilitates more efficient removal of exudates and infectious material through the foam and into the canister during the V.A.C. Therapy phase.13-15
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Promote
Promotes granulation tissue formation and perfusion to prepare the wound for closure8. Veraflo Therapy has been shown to increase the thickness by 43% in a porcine model after 7 days of therapy, when compared to V.A.C. Therapy.5
Case study excerpt: A 64-year-old male presented with a stage 4 pressure ulcer of the sacrum present for more than four years.
Patient comorbidities included: former tobacco use, poor nutritional status, haemostasis, chronic paraplegia (more than 15 years), leukocytosis, multiple previous pressure ulcers, and osteomyelitis of the sacrum.
The wound had been treated with NPWT, offloading, silver dressings, air mattress, hydrofiber dressings, alginate dressings, and wound debridement. Sharp debridement was performed but limited by the inability to achieve adequate hemostasis.
NPWT with instillation and 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice™ Dressing was initiated. Saline (22mL) was instilled, followed by 1 minute soak time and 30 min of negative pressure at -150mmHg. On day 7, sharp debridement was done at the bedside, removing the tip of the coccyx and non-viable slough/adipose tissue. Two days after the debridement, the therapy was interrupted due to soiling, and the patient underwent colostomy surgery. Three days post-surgery, Veraflo Therapy using the V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice Dressing was re-started. A silver alginate dressing was placed over the left buttock partial thickness area. On Day 5, the therapy switched to 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy at -125mmHg for nine days.
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A) Day 0 of Veraflo Therapy: Wounds following bedside sharp debridement
B) Day 3 of Veraflo Therapy: After first V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice™ Dressing change
C) After 9 days of NPWTPatient data and photos courtesy of Kimberly D. Hall, DNP, RN, GCNS-BC, CWCN-AP, COCN, and Jessica Patterson, BSN, RN, CWOCN
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NOTE: As with any case study, the results and outcomes should not be interpreted as a guarantee or warranty of similar results. Individual results may vary depending on the patient’s circumstances and condition.
Case study excerpt: Veraflo Therapy with V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice Dressing - chronic wound
Following a boating injury, a 26-year-old female received a transfemoral amputation resulting in a soft tissue defect. During transportation to the facility, the patient had a Combat Tourniquet and received 13 units of packed red blood cells and eight units of fresh frozen plasma. The wound was surgically debrided and irrigated at different stages of the treatment. She received therapeutic plasma exchange, continuous renal replacement therapy after being diagnosed with macrophage activation syndrome, and V.A.C.® Therapy at -125mmHg.
When surgical debridement was not an option, Veraflo Therapy was initiated using a 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice™ Dressing, instilling 100ml of 0.125% Dakin’s Solution to help remove devitalised tissue. As wound healing progressed, Veraflo Therapy was transitioned to using 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo™ Dressing, instilling 80ml normal saline. After the tangential excision and split-thickness skin graft, it was covered with a non-adherent layer and bolstered using 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy applied at -125mmHg. Systemic antibiotics were administered throughout the patient’s treatment period.
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A) Day 0 of Veraflo Therapy - Wound on Day 9 before initiating 3M™ Veraflo™ Therapy.
B) Day 4 of Veraflo Therapy – wound healing progressed.
C) Day 16 of Veraflo Therapy – Wound on day 25 with significant granulation tissue present and a considerable amount of coverage over the femur fragment.Patient data and photos courtesy of Brandon Hill, RN, CWCN, FACCWS; Ochsner Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
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NOTE: As with any case study, the results and outcomes should not be interpreted as a guarantee or warranty of similar results. Individual results may vary depending on the patient’s circumstances and condition.
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Veraflo Therapy should be considered early in treatment
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Based on the 2020 "Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation: International consensus guidelines update" by Paul Kim, DPM, MS et al. in the publication International Wound Journal, Veraflo Therapy should be considered early in treatment based on data and experience.11
Appropriate wound characteristics:
- Clean wounds
- Adequately cleansed and debrided wounds
- Wounds with heavy bioburden
- Contaminated/infected wounds
- Wounds that are difficult to granulate
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3M™ Smart Instill™ Feature making Veraflo Therapy initiation easier than ever.
The Smart Instill Feature uses sophisticated software that automates many of the Veraflo Therapy steps and delivers an easier and less time-consuming interaction when initiating instillation therapy:
- Automatically determines the volume of topical wound solution to instill
- Preprogrammed therapy settings align to global advisory recommendations11
- Animated troubleshooting, customisable alarm and postpone feature
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Recommended therapy settings:
- NPWT Time: 2-3 hours
- Dwell Time: 10 minutes
- NPWT Setting: -125mmHg
- Solution: Saline (or other compatible solutions)
- Dressing: 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo™ Dressing unless non-viable tissue is present. Consider 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice™ Dressing as a wound cleansing option before surgical debridement or if debridement is delayed or not possible
Discontinue therapy when clinical goals are met.
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Just another reason to start smart with Veraflo technology - Request a demo
Application guides and resources for Veraflo Therapy
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What topical solutions are compatible with Veraflo Therapy?
This video describes the topical wound solutions that have been tested for compatibility with Veraflo Therapy and how to apply. Compatible solutions include: isotonic solutions, hypochlorite-based solutions, silver nitrate, biguanides, lidocaine, acetic acid, and cationic solutions.
Video 5:21 min
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Veraflo Therapy has been shown to reduce the number of surgical debridements and shorten length of NPWT.6
More than 100 peer-reviewed publications on Veraflo Therapy
Training opportunities and educational resources
Deepen your clinical expertise with training opportunities and educational resources designed especially for you.
3M webinars and archived events keep you up to date with the latest product guidelines and scientifically supported standards of care.
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In this video a product expert will demonstrate the application of the small, medium and large 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo™ Dressings. Topics covered include dressing selection and application, including how to use the 3M™ V.A.C. VeraT.R.A.C.™ Pad.
Watch the Dressing Kit Application Guide video
Duration: 08:03 -
A handy video guide providing troubleshooting advice for alerts and alarms that may occur during 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy or 3M™ Veraflo™ Therapy.
Watch the Troubleshooting Guide video
Duration: 07:35 -
Access online courses hosted by leading Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) - online and on-demand. Increase your knowledge of the latest techniques and training with the wide range of courses available on 3M Health Care Academy. Discover online learning that's right for you, packed with insights from 3M specialists and industry experts.
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Easier to initiate than it's ever been - Try it yourself!
Discover how negative pressure wound therapy with instillation is easier than ever to help promote healing for complex wounds.
Improve care for chronic and traumatic wounds with Veraflo Therapy
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Optimal outcomes start with early treatment and consistent management of traumatic wounds. Together, we can strive to reduce preventable complications, drive toward better outcomes and, ultimately, aspire to restore patients’ lives.
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Both Veraflo™ Therapy and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy have been used to aid in reducing the size and depth of stage 3 or 4 pressure injuries.
Explore additional 3M Negative Pressure Wound Therapies
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3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy has been shown to be a successful way to manage wounds for the past 25 years16. It can be used to reduce hospitalisation time and the risk of complications16,17, which in turn helps facilitate patient transitions from inpatient to outpatient care settings.
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Prevena Therapy is the first single-use negative pressure therapy system designed for the management of closed incisions in patients at risk of postoperative complications, including infection.
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AbThera Therapy incorporates functional elements for achieving abdominal protection, access, medial tension, and fluid removal.
Request a demo
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Looking for more information?
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We are here to help! Get in touch with our customer support team for advice about our products and how to use them.
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View our advanced wounds and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and I.V. dressings portfolios and browse our product catalogue.
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Find Instructions for Use for specific 3M Health Care products.
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Find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding 3M Health Care.
Note: Specific indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and safety information exist for these products and therapies. Please consult a clinician and product instructions for use prior to application. This material is intended for healthcare professionals.
References
- Yao M, Fabbi M, Hayashi H et al. A retrospective cohort study evaluating efficacy in high-risk patients with chronic lower extremity ulcers treated with negative pressure wound therapy. International Wound Journal. 2014;11:483–488
- September 2014 Survey, N = 240, Surgeons, Podiatrists, WOCNs and PT
- Posnett J, Gottrup F, Lundgren H, Saal G. The resource impact of wounds on health-care providers in Europe. J Wound Care. 2009;18(4):154-161.1
- Department of Health (DOH). Comorbidities: A framework of principles for system-wide action. London: DOH, 2014. Accessed March 2019 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/307143/Comorbidities_framework.pdf
- Lessing C, Slack P, Hong KZ, Kilpadi D, McNulty A. Negative pressure wound therapy with controlled saline instillation (NPWTi): dressing properties and granulation response in vivo. Wounds. 2011 Oct;23(10):309-319.
- Gabriel, Allen MD, FACS; Camardo, Mark MS; O’Rorke, Erin BS; Gold, Rebecca BS; Kim, Paul J. DPM, MS, FACFAS Effects of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation versus Standard of Care in Multiple Wound Types: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: January 2021 - Volume 147 - Issue 1S-1 - p 68S-76S doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007614.
- Camardo, Mark. “Veraflo Meta-Analysis Standardized and Non-Standardized Means.”, 3M Internal Report, San Antonio, Texas, 2020.
- Collinsworth AW, Griffin LP. The effect of timing of instillation therapy on outcomes and costs for patients receiving negative pressure wound therapy. Wounds. 2022 Nov;34(11):269-275. PMID: 36322918.
- 3M™ V.A.C.® Ulta Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System Safety Information and 3M™ V.A.C. Veraflo Cleanse Choice™ Dressing System Application Instructions
- Teot L, Boissiere F, Fluieraru S. Novel foam dressing using negative pressure wound therapy with instillation to remove thick exudate. Int Wound J. 2017; doi: 10.1111/iwj.1217.
- Kim PJ, Attinger CE, Constantine T, et al. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation: international consensus guidelines update. Int Wound J. 2020 Feb;17(1):174-186.
- Brinkert D, Mazen A, Naud M, Maire N, Trial C, Teot L. Negative pressure wound therapy with saline instillation: 131 patient case series. Int Wound J. 2013 Dec;10 Suppl 1:56-60.
- Bernstein BH, Tam H. Combination of subatmospheric pressure dressing and gravity feed antibiotic instillation in the treatment of post‐surgical diabetic foot wounds: a case series. Wounds 2005;17:37–48.
- McNulty AK, Nguyen K. What is the benefit of instillation therapy? Int J Low Extrem Wounds 2010;9:68–9.
- Rycerz AM, Slack P, McNulty AK. Distribution assessment comparing continuous and periodic wound instillation in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy using an agar‐based model. Int Wound J 2013;10:214–20.
- Law A L Krebs B. Karnik B. Griffin L. Comparison of Healthcare Costs Associated With Patients Receiving Traditional Negative Pressure Wound Therapies in the Post Acute Setting. Cureus 12(11): e11790. DOI 10.7759/cureus.11790.
- Page JC, Newsander B, Schwenke DC, Hansen M, Ferguson J. Retrospective analysis of negative pressure wound therapy in open foot wounds with significant soft tissue defects. Adv Skin Wound Care/ 2004;17(7):354-364.
- Data pulled January 1, 2020-August 31, 2020
- 3M.iOnHealingOrderstoRelease_Sept2020_InternalReport. 25SEP2020.
