Prevena Plus 125 Beep Indicator Guide: How to Read Lights and Audio Alerts
Q1: Can I shower while my Prevena Plus 125 unit is running?
A1: No. While the dressing on your skin is water-resistant, the electronic Prevena Plus 125 pump is not waterproof. If your surgeon has approved showering, clamp the tubing, disconnect the pump using the quick-connector, and leave the unit outside the bathroom. Reconnect the pump immediately after toweling off and confirm the green light turns on.
Q2: Why does the pump run loudly every few minutes even with a solid green light?
A2: That is normal operation. The unit does not run its motor continuously. It cycles on for a few seconds whenever internal pressure drops slightly below the target -125 mmHg threshold, then cuts out once negative pressure is re-established.
Q3: What should I do if the canister fills with bright red blood?
A3: Stop troubleshooting and call your surgeon or seek emergency care immediately. Prevena canisters typically collect straw-colored or pale pink serosanguinous fluid. A rapid collection of dark or bright red blood indicates active bleeding at the surgical site that requires urgent clinical evaluation.
Q4: Will I get an electrical shock if the dressing gets damp?
A4: No. The Prevena Plus system operates entirely on low-voltage direct current (DC), and no electrical wiring enters the dressing itself. The line connecting the pump to your skin is a hollow silicone vacuum tube carrying air and fluid, posing no risk of electric shock.