Ethicon Biopatch Protective Disk with CHG — Only CRBSI-Cleared Sponge Dressing, 3 Sizes
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Ethicon Biopatch Protective Disk with CHG — Only CRBSI-Cleared Sponge Dressing, 3 Sizes
The only sponge dressing FDA-cleared to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections — proven in multiple randomized controlled trials. Biopatch Protective Disk with CHG is a hydrophilic polyurethane foam disk impregnated with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) — the only antiseptic recommended by the CDC for catheter site skin antisepsis — that delivers a continuous 360-degree zone of CHG inhibition around the catheter insertion site for up to 7 days. It is the only catheter site dressing with a cleared FDA indication specifically for the reduction of CRBSIs in central venous and arterial catheters, supported by multiple published randomized controlled trials. The foam absorbs up to 8 times its weight in fluid, managing exudate at the insertion site without maceration, while CHG is continuously released through the proprietary polyurethane composite — maintaining active skin antisepsis between dressing changes and protecting patients from bacterial recolonization that begins within hours of standard site preparation.
✔ Only FDA-Cleared Sponge Dressing for CRBSI Reduction — Proven in Multiple RCTs ✔ 360° CHG Delivery — Full Circumferential Antiseptic Coverage Around Insertion Site ✔ 7-Day Continuous CHG Release — Maintains Antisepsis Between Dressing Changes ✔ Absorbs 8x Its Weight — Manages Site Exudate Without Maceration ✔ CDC-Recommended CHG — Only Antiseptic Recommended for Catheter Skin Antisepsis
Product Details
| Manufacturer | Ethicon, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson MedTech) |
|---|---|
| Product | Biopatch Protective Disk with CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) |
| Available Sizes | 3 sizes — Item #s 4150, 4151, 4152 (see size guide below) |
| Construction | Hydrophilic polyurethane absorptive foam impregnated with CHG — proprietary engineered composite for sustained release |
| Antimicrobial Agent | Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) — broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal, effective in the presence of blood, sera, and proteins |
| Coverage | 360° full circumferential CHG delivery around catheter insertion site |
| Wear Time | Up to 7 days — continuous CHG release throughout |
| Absorbency | Absorbs up to 8 times its own weight in fluid — manages insertion site exudate |
| FDA Clearance | Only sponge dressing with cleared indication for reduction of CRBSIs in central venous and arterial catheters |
| Removal | One-step — attaches to transparent film dressing and removes simultaneously, no saline or alcohol needed |
| Sterility | Sterile — 10 per box, 40 per case (4 boxes) |
| Latex | Latex-free — non-toxic |
| HCPCS Code | A6209 |
Indicated For — Clinical Applications
- Central venous lines — short-term and long-term, all types
- PICC lines and midline catheters
- Peripheral IV catheters — including extended dwell PIVs
- Arterial catheters
- Dialysis catheters — hemodialysis and peritoneal
- Epidural catheters
- Huber needles at implanted port sites
- External fixator and orthopedic pins
- Drains, chest tubes, sheaths, and Cordis catheters
- VAD drive lines
- Any vascular or non-vascular percutaneous device site requiring ongoing antiseptic protection
Note: For patients aged 18 years and older. Not recommended for use in neonates or patients with known CHG sensitivity. Ensure complete 360° skin contact around the insertion site for maximum efficacy. Do not peel the printed side from the Biopatch disk during application.
How Biopatch Works — What Makes It Different
Catheter-related bloodstream infections affect an estimated 250,000 patients per year in the US, causing up to 33,000 deaths and approximately $1 billion in healthcare costs annually. The primary source is the patient's own skin microflora — within hours of thorough antiseptic skin preparation, resident bacteria begin recolonizing the catheter insertion site. Standard transparent film dressings provide a physical barrier but no ongoing antimicrobial protection between dressing changes. Biopatch addresses this directly with a continuous chemical antiseptic barrier. The proprietary polyurethane composite foam is engineered — not simply coated — to release CHG continuously throughout the 7-day wear period, maintaining active skin antisepsis at and around the insertion site between every dressing change. The disk's radial slit design allows it to wrap completely around the catheter, and the foam's conformability ensures full 360-degree skin contact so no area around the insertion site is left without CHG coverage — the only catheter dressing designed and proven to achieve this.
- Only sponge dressing with FDA-cleared indication for CRBSI reduction in central venous and arterial catheters
- Proven in multiple published randomized controlled trials — the highest level of clinical evidence
- 360° CHG delivery — full circumferential antiseptic coverage, no gaps around the insertion site
- Continuous CHG release for 7 days — maintains antisepsis between dressing changes when bacterial recolonization would otherwise occur
- CHG effective in the presence of organic matter — blood, sera, and proteins do not neutralize activity
- Absorbs up to 8x its weight in fluid — manages insertion site exudate without foam breakdown or maceration
- Inhibits both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms — broad antimicrobial and antifungal spectrum
- One-step removal — disk adheres to overlying transparent film dressing and removes simultaneously, no residue, no saline needed
- Non-irritating foam — soft, conformable, gentle on fragile catheter site skin
- Recommended by CDC for skin antisepsis at catheter sites — CHG is the only antiseptic with this CDC endorsement
The 360° Design — Why Full Circumferential Coverage Matters
Most catheter site dressings are flat — they cover the area above and around the site but create gaps where the catheter enters the skin. These gaps are exactly where bacterial migration occurs. Biopatch's radial slit design and conformable foam construction allow the disk to wrap completely and snugly around the catheter at skin level — creating an unbroken ring of CHG activity that covers the full 360-degree circumference of the insertion site. This design feature is unique to Biopatch and is the primary reason it is the only catheter dressing to achieve FDA clearance for CRBSI reduction as a standalone indication.
- Radial slit allows disk to slide around catheter and close completely — edges approximate for full contact
- Conformable foam fills contours around the catheter hub — no gaps for bacterial migration
- Printed side faces up — maintains proper orientation and visual confirmation of correct placement
- Full 360° skin contact is required for maximum efficacy — the disk design is engineered to achieve this
- When correctly placed, removal with overlying film dressing is simultaneous and clean
Choosing the Right Size
| Item # | Disk Size | Center Hole | French Range | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4151 | ¾" (1.9cm) | 1.5mm — 52.5mg CHG | <6 Fr | Peripheral IVs, Huber needles (ports), arterial lines, extended dwell PIVs, midlines, PICCs, pins |
| 4150 | 1" (2.5cm) | 4.0mm — 92mg CHG | 6–12 Fr | Central lines, PICC lines — most widely used size for standard CVC management |
| 4152 | 1" (2.5cm) | 7.0mm — 86.8mg CHG | 13–20 Fr | Dialysis catheters, drains, sheaths, Cordis catheters, VAD drive lines — largest hole for high-gauge devices |
Application: Apply Biopatch disk printed side up with the edges of the radial slit approximated and aligned with the catheter tubing. Ensure complete 360° skin contact. Cover with a transparent film dressing — the disk will remove simultaneously with the film at the next dressing change. Secure catheter at least 0.5" (1.25cm) from the insertion site before applying.
Not sure which size fits your catheter? Call 1-866-218-0902 — Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm EST
Why Buy From Medical Department Store?
- 30+ years serving home medical, wound care, and clinical supply customers
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Questions about Biopatch or any of our catheter site dressings? Call 1-866-218-0902 — our team is ready to help.
