[Vacuum-therapy of chronic wounds in long-term care institutions]

Negative pressure wound therapy is still mainly used in hospitals. By the introduction of the diagnosis related groups the average length of stay in hospitals is expected to be reduced even more. Therefore, the question arises whether the Negative pressure wound therapy in nursing homes should be applied, too, because they often provide the continuity of care in elderly patients after treatment in a hospital. Based on the literature, the authors formulate recommendations for the use of Negative pressure wound therapy in nursing homes.