Patent ID: 8007833

Claim:
A method of reducing infections associated with vascular access procedures involving catheter insertion and removal comprising the steps of: attaching a powder containment device (PCD) to a skin area, the PCD having a hole formed centrally therethrough adapted to at least partially surround the catheter at a wound site previously formed when the catheter was inserted into the skin area, said hole, in combination with the skin, defining an open cavity substantially wider than a width of the catheter; positioning the skin area into a working orientation; at least partially filling said cavity with a hemostatic agent which includes an effective amount of a salt ferrate combined with an effective amount of an insoluble cation exchange material, said salt ferrate combining with blood to form a trivalent Fe +++ ion promoting blood clotting and producing oxygen to reduce bacteria level at the wound site, said cation exchange material forming a protective cover over the wound site as said trivalent Fe +++ ion is formed; applying pressure against said hemostatic agent while removing the catheter from the wound site; maintaining the pressure against said hemostatic agent for a time sufficient to arrest blood flow from the wound site; releasing the pressure and covering the PCD with a transparent or translucent adhesive dressing.