Who Supplies Wound VACs? NPWT Providers and Rental Options
Who supplies wound vacs?
The Quick Answer
**Apria Healthcare** is a leading national supplier of Medela's Invia® NPWT (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) systems, including the Invia® Liberty™ and Invia® Motion™ Endure pumps. Other major suppliers include **KCI/Acelity** (makers of V.A.C.® Therapy systems), **Smith & Nephew**, and local DME (Durable Medical Equipment) providers who offer rental or purchase options with physician prescription.
Why We Ask This
Patients struggle to locate accessible wound VAC suppliers after hospital discharge, often facing delays in home therapy initiation that compromise healing timelines—especially critical for diabetic ulcers or surgical wounds requiring continuous negative pressure within 24–48 hours post-debridement.
The Practical Science
NPWT suppliers operate through DME networks requiring physician prescription and insurance pre-authorization. Systems deliver controlled suction (-75 to -125 mmHg) through foam dressings to remove exudate, reduce edema, and stimulate granulation tissue formation—accelerating closure by 30–50% versus standard dressings in chronic wounds.
In Clinical Practice
A patient discharged with a stage 4 pressure ulcer receives same-day delivery from Apria: a Medela Invia Liberty pump with canisters, foam dressings, and adhesive drape—enabling continuous therapy at home while a visiting nurse performs dressing changes every 48 hours until granulation fills the wound bed.
References & Context
Wound Care | Apria"Apria is the preferred national provider of Medela's Invia® NPWT products. Apria carries both the Medela Invia® Liberty™ and the Medela Invia® Motion™ Endure."