METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING COUNT OF INFECTIOUS AGENTS IN INTRAVENOUS ACCESS SYSTEMS

摘要

An apparatus for preventing infection at a catheter insertion site. The apparatus has a U-shaped housing comprising a cross-bar and a pair of arms extending from said cross-bar, and light-emitting elements for irradiating a catheter insertion site with light having wavelengths in an anti-microbial range. The U-shaped housing has a diagonal surface from which one or more of the light-emitting elements extend, and the light-emitting elements are positioned such that they emit light in a direction below the housing while operational. The device may be affixed over a transparent dressing overlying the catheter entry point. The device may be affixed to the catheter insertion site using an adhesive or fastening band, or through other methods. The light sources may be positioned such that light from the light sources overlaps at one or more areas on the skin, especially the catheter entry point.