Site guard for intravenous sites and other sensitive areas

Abstract

A multipurpose site guard for use at all peripheral and central venipuncture infusion sites, sensitive areas, and for pediatric and adult patients. The guard is a hollow plastic member with a base and a sidewall that forms a cover over the site. Improvements to this invention include holding the guard in place with a fabric connector having closure means, cushioning the guard's base with a soft material, and a hole disposed in the hollow member for providing access to the site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A site guard, comprising:
 (a) a hollow member having a base, the base having an edge to be positioned upon a patient adjacent a site, the base having a width sufficient to straddle the site and a length and a height sufficient to cover the site, the base joined to a sidewall to form a cover;   (b) at least one fabric connector affixed to the hollow member;   (c) means for affixing the hollow member to the at least one fabric connector; and   (d) means for closing the fabric connector on the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the closure means is located on at least one of the base or the sidewall of the hollow member. 
     
     
         3 . The site guard as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the closure means comprises at least one of an adhesive or hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . The site guard as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hollow member further comprises a strip configured to cover the closure means when not in use. 
     
     
         5 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the closure means comprises a first tab and a plurality of holes configured to receive the first tab. 
     
     
         6 . The site guard as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first tab is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive tab and a button tab. 
     
     
         7 . The site guard as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least one fabric connector further comprises the plurality of holes. 
     
     
         8 . The site guard as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the hollow member further comprises the first tab. 
     
     
         9 . The site guard as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fabric connector further comprises a connector hole and the hollow member further comprises a second tab, wherein the connector hole is configured to receive the second tab. 
     
     
         10 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the closure means comprises a support integrated with the at least one fabric connector. 
     
     
         11 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow member and the at least one fabric connector comprise the affixing means, the affixing means of the hollow member configured to detachably couple to the affixing means of the at least one fabric connector. 
     
     
         12 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fabric connector comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         13 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fabric connector comprises a plurality of connection points. 
     
     
         14 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fabric connector comprises an extender. 
     
     
         15 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow member further comprises a flange attached to the edge of the support. 
     
     
         16 . The site guard as recited in  claim 15  further comprising a cushion attached to the flange. 
     
     
         17 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fabric connector further comprises at least one opening to accommodate various body parts. 
     
     
         18 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cushion affixed to all or part of the edge of the hollow member. 
     
     
         19 . The site guard as recited in claim  40 , wherein the cushion is selected from the group consisting of cloth, gauze, stretch wrap, and foam tape. 
     
     
         20 . The site guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow member has an elongated closed end, the base is U-shaped, and the base is split into two legs so as to lay flush against a patient's skin when used.