NPWT Troubleshooting Website: Troubleshooting

The RENASYS GO device is not managing the exudate level and/or the dressing is leaking

For RENASYS GO not to manage the exudate there must be a restriction in flow to the pump. This could be in a number of places:
- The canister filters may be partially blocked
- There may be a blood or fibrin clot in the tubing, connector or port
- If a small drain is being used it may not have sufficient capacity for the amount of wound fluid
- If gauze is used as a filler it is possible that the gauze has become very compact (e.g. due to patient weight on the gauze) and vacuum transmission through the gauze has deteriorated
Because of the potential number of causes and the length of time that can be spent narrowing down to a particular cause, it is recommended that the most efficient course of action is to change the canister, port and wound dressing
If a gauze dressing is being used it is recommended that this is changed to a foam dressing.
If a small drain is being used, the drain type can be changed or a Y-connector can be used to connect 2 drains or a port and a drain to the same wound. This is especially useful is a small drain is being used for a sinus or tunnelling and it is desirable to keep this drain in position
If the wound fluid is heavy, thick with sediment present, the irrigation drain should be considered
If the experience of not managing fluid is experienced again, it is recommended that the frequency of dressing change be increased until the exudate level has reduced