Infection Prevention System with Bedside Caddy

Abstract

A bed-side system for preventing infection that uses a flush and swab caddy attached to an IV pole or other bed-side equipment. By providing convenient and secure storage for pre-filled syringes, alcohol swabs, and other medical supplies, it can improve individual patient care. In an embodiment, the caddy attaches to the IV pole and comprises a locking compartment for pre-filled syringes and an open tray for alcohol swabs and other medical supplies. The syringes may be filled with saline, heparin, or another solution.

I claim 
     
         1 ) A bedside caddy for storing medical supplies comprising a storage container and a clamp configured to attach the storage container to an IV pole wherein
 the storage container comprises a locking compartment and an open tray wherein   the locking compartment is sized to contain no more than ten syringes pre-filled with solution, and   the open tray is sized to contain no more than twenty cleaning swabs.   
     
     
         2 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the locking compartment has a length between three inches and ten inches, a height between three inches and ten inches, and a depth between one inch and six inches 
     
     
         3 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein each syringe contains is pre-filled with no more than 20 cubic centimeters of solution. 
     
     
         4 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the solution comprises saline. 
     
     
         5 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the solution comprises a medication. 
     
     
         6 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the clamp is a C-clamp. 
     
     
         7 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the open tray has a length between three inches and ten inches, a height between three inches and ten inches, and a depth between one inch and six inches. 
     
     
         8 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning swabs comprise alcohol swabs. 
     
     
         9 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the locking compartment is sized to contain no less than five syringes pre-filled with solution. 
     
     
         10 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein at least one surface of the open tray comprises a printed message. 
     
     
         11 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  wherein the storage container further comprises a keyed, combination, or electronic lock secured to the locking compartment. 
     
     
         12 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  further comprising a second locking compartment wherein the second locking compartment is sized to contain no less than five syringes pre-filled with solution. 
     
     
         13 ) The bedside caddy of  claim 1  further comprising a second open tray wherein the second open tray is configured to store other supplies. 
     
     
         14 ) A bedside system for infection prevention comprising a vascular access device and a caddy wherein the caddy comprises a storage container and a clamp configured to attach the storage container to an IV pole wherein the storage container comprises a locking compartment and an open tray and wherein the locking compartment contains syringes pre-filled with solution and the open tray contains cleansing swabs. 
     
     
         15 ) The bedside system of  claim 14  wherein at least one surface of the open tray comprises a printed message. 
     
     
         16 ) The bedside system of  claim 14  wherein the solution comprises a medication. 
     
     
         17 ) The bedside system of  claim 14  wherein the solution comprises saline. 
     
     
         18 ) The bedside system of  claim 14  wherein the locking compartment stores no more than five syringes pre-filled with solution. 
     
     
         19 ) The bedside system of  claim 14  wherein the open tray contains additional medical supplies. 
     
     
         20 ) The bedside system of  claim 14  wherein the locking compartment further comprises a keyed, combination, or electronic lock.