Slotted Catheter Securement Device

1 . A slotted catheter securement device comprising:

a base member and a securing member both generally C-shaped with a slot extending into an interior opening;

an upper surface of the base member securely attached to a lower surface of the securing member at a plurality of locations;

a lower surface of the base member releasably attached to a lower release layer such that the lower surface of the base member is affixed to a patient's skin;

an upper surface of the securing member releasably attached to an upper release layer such that the upper surface of the securing member is releasably attached to an installed catheter extending generally perpendicular to the patient's skin.

2 . The slotted catheter securement device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of anchor pads extending from the base member.

3 . The slotted catheter securement device of claim 2 wherein the anchor pads extend co-planarly and perpendicular to the base member at the plurality of locations where the base member is securely attached to the securing member.

4 . The slotted catheter securement device of claim 3 wherein the anchor pads prevent movement of the base member with relation to the patient's skin.

5 . The slotted catheter securement device of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the securing member is releasably attached to the upper release layer with an adhesive layer that can be reengaged with the catheter.

6 . A slotted catheter securement device adapted for securing a catheter extending generally

perpendicularly from the skin of a patient, the device comprising:

a base member and a securing member each composed of a flexible sheet material, said securing member and said base member co-planarly oriented, said securing member joined to said base member non-coextensively;

an interior opening defined by said base member and said securing member;

a slot passing through said base member and said securing member in communication with said interior opening;

said securing member comprising a first bridging member and a second bridging member non-coextensively joined to said base member;

a securing adhesive layer positioned on at least one of said first and second bridging members;

said first bridging member having an attached end and a free end; said second

bridging member having two attached ends;

whereby said first and second bridging members fold away from said base member to adhere to each other and to a catheter disposed therebetween.

7 . The device of claim 6 , further comprising a mounting adhesive layer joining said base member and said securing member, said mounting adhesive layer positioned on opposite sides of said interior opening, said mounting adhesive layer not encompassing said slot.

8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said base member and said securing member are generally C-shaped.

9 . The device of claim 7 , wherein said base member—and said securing member are generally C-shaped.

10 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said securing adhesive layer is not positioned on said free end of said first bridging member.

11 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said base member comprises a hydrocolloid patch.

12 . The device of claim 6 , further comprising a base adhesive layer disposed between said securing adhesive layer and said seething member.

13 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said base member adheres to the skin of a patient.

14 . The device of claim 6 , wherein said base member, said securing member and said interior opening are generally circular in configuration.

15 . A slotted catheter securement device adapted for securing a catheter extending generally perpendicularly from the skin of a patient, the device comprising:

a base member composed of a flexible sheet material and adhesively adherable to the skin of a patient, said base member having an upper surface and a lower surface;

a securing member composed of a flexible sheet material, said securing member having an upper surface and a lower surface; said lower surface of said securing member joined in a co-planar, non-coextensive manner to said upper surface of said base member;

a central interior opening defined by said base member and said securing member;

a slot passing through said base member and said securing member in communication with said interior opening;

said securing member joined to said base member such that at least four segments are defined on said securing member, two of said segments being coextensively joined to said base member and two of said segments being not coextensively joined to said base member;

said two non-coextensively joined segments of said securing member defining respectively a first bridging member and a second bridging member;

a securing adhesive layer positioned on said upper surface of said securing member on at least one of said first and second bridging members;

said first bridging member having an attached end and a free end; said second

bridging member having two attached ends;

whereby said first and second bridging members fold together away from said base member to adhere to each other and to a catheter disposed therebetween.

16 . The device of claim 15 , further comprising a mounting adhesive layer joining said upper surface of said base member to said lower surface of said securing member to define said two coextensively joined segments, said mounting adhesive layer positioned on opposite sides of said interior opening, and said mounting adhesive layer not encompassing said slot.

17 . The device of claim 15 , wherein said base member and said securing member are generally C-shaped.

18 . The device of claim 16 , wherein said base member and said securing member are generally C-shaped and wherein the slotted catheter securement device includes at least one anchor pad.

19 . The device of claim 15 , wherein said securing adhesive layer is not positioned on said flee end of said first bridging member.

20 . The device of claim 16 , wherein said securing adhesive layer is not positioned on said free end of said first bridging member and wherein the slotted catheter securement device includes at least one anchor pad.