An evaluation of the PICO◊ 7 single-use, disposable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system was conducted to compare its performance against the previously used version of the PICO product, using a specified set of functionality related outcomes. Nineteen patients with sternal wound problems were included in the evaluation. The feedback revealed that 98.7% of respondents rated it ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. 100% of feedback considered the device ‘same’ or ‘better’. The evaluation also demonstrated the impact surgical site infections (SSIs) can have on a provider (both clinically and economically), and the level of resource SSIs require. The Trust now plans to consider the use of PICO prophylactically in high-risk cardiac surgery patients aiming to reduce this burden.