Patients' experiences of NPWT in an outpatient setting in Denmark

To study patients' experiences of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) used for wounds of various aetiologies in the outpatient setting and the influences on daily life.

In this qualitative study, a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used. Ten patients underwent qualitative interviews regarding their NPWT treatment. The French philosopher, Ricoeur's,theory of interpretation guided the data analysis, which included three levels: naive reading, structural analysis and critical interpretation and discussion.

The patients experienced a high level of dependency on the equipment and a greater confidence as treatment proceeded. There is a link between treatment and tolerance. Duration of treatment influenced the patients' ability to cope with it and the patients gradually developed an acceptance of the technology. The support of relatives was important, particularly after delivery of a baby and wound treatment following caesarean section. Some patients were embarrassed due to the appearance and smell of the exudate.

Use of NPWT clearly influences patients' daily life. Patients have a feeling of being dependent on and attached to the equipment, and they experienced embarrassment about odour,anxiety and uneasiness in relation to complications, a need for relatives' support and other social relation issues. It was important to include relatives as a resource and make use of the opportunity they presented to assist patients during information sessions about treatment.