A transcutaneous device dressing and method for its use with a
transcutaneous medical device, such as an intravascular catheter, which
punctures the skin of a patient and which has a portion of the medical
device protruding from the skin which can lead to infection. The dressing
includes a top and a bottom dressing, both being formed from a flexible
material and having upper and lower surfaces, with the lower surface
being the skin facing surface in use. The bottom dressing has a slit
formed therein extending from one edge inwardly to a termination point
within the confines of the bottom dressing. An anti-microbial material is
provided without the use of adhesives at the upper and lower surfaces of
the bottom dressing, and at least at the lower surface of the top
dressing. In use, the bottom dressing is placed next to the skin, the
slit allowing the bottom dressing to surround the puncture site such that
the lower surface of the bottom dressing is in contact with the skin
while the upper surface of the bottom dressing is in contact with a
portion of the medical device protruding from the skin. The top dressing
is placed above the puncture site such that its lower surface is in
contact with a portion of the medical device protruding from the skin. In
this way, there is exposure of the portion of the medical device
protruding from the skin to the anti-microbial activity of the
anti-microbial material.