IV Securement Dressings: Protecting, Covering and Enabling Movement for Patients

Why Adhesives Matter in IV Dressing Applications

In IV site management, the adhesive component of a securement dressing plays a crucial role. The adhesive ensures that the dressing stays firmly in place, protecting the insertion site from contaminants and mechanical stress. A well-chosen adhesive can significantly impact patient outcomes by minimizing skin trauma and maintaining a secure seal.

Silicone, acrylic, and hybrid adhesives are frequently used in IV securement dressings. These adhesives vary in their tack, wear time, breathability, and ease of removal. Selecting the right medical adhesive for an IV dressing involves balancing performance demands, like securement strength, with patient comfort and skin sensitivity. The wrong adhesive can lead to complications such as MARSI (Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury), dislodged lines, or premature dressing failure.

Beyond adhesion, the adhesive must also accommodate skin types ranging from fragile to oily, and should maintain performance under perspiration, body heat, and shifting anatomy. As such, advanced adhesive technologies are developed to provide consistent performance across varying care environments.

Adhesive Features that Define Effective IV Securement

The ideal adhesive for IV securement dressing must deliver:

• Consistent adhesion across wear time: Prevents lifting or edge roll-up during patient movement.

• Gentle removal: Especially critical for pediatric, geriatric, and immunocompromised patients.

• Moisture management: Adhesives that allow moisture vapor transmission help prevent maceration.

• Compatibility with dressings and carriers: Ensures strong bonding with films, foams, and non-wovens.

• Stable adhesion under pressure or occlusion: Required for dressings used in conjunction with compression therapy or under tight clothing.

Silicone adhesives are particularly effective for fragile skin due to their gentle adhesion and reusability. Acrylic adhesives, while more tacky, provide longer wear times and are commonly used in standard hospital protocols. Some advanced IV securement dressings incorporate hybrid adhesives to leverage the benefits of both while offering specialized performance enhancements.

Substrate and Adhesive Integration in IV Securement Dressings

Adhesives must work synergistically with the substrate materials to deliver optimal performance. Whether paired with transparent polyurethane films, breathable non-wovens, or absorbent foam backings, the adhesive must maintain integrity throughout the product’s wear time.

• Film-based dressings with acrylic adhesives offer high moisture barrier performance and long wear.

• Silicone adhesive on film enhances patient comfort and simplifies dressing changes.

• Foam dressings with adhesive borders offer cushioning and absorption around the IV site.

• Multi-layer constructions can incorporate hydrocolloids or hydrogels to support delicate or high-exudate skin.

Avery Dennison Medical engineers medical adhesives that integrate seamlessly into a variety of dressing formats. Our platforms are designed to provide securement without compromising skin health or usability, ensuring flexibility for both OEM development and clinical application.

Clinical Value of Adhesive-Engineered IV Dressings

Well-designed adhesive systems contribute directly to the efficacy of IV securement dressings. They support site protection, reduce the incidence of dressing-related skin injuries, and improve overall dressing performance. When adhesives perform as intended, they:

• Maintain IV site stability without additional reinforcement.

• Reduce frequency of dressing changes due to edge lifting or patient discomfort.

• Improve dressing integrity even in high-moisture or high-movement areas.

• Enhance patient tolerance and reduce pain during removal.

• Minimize the potential for site contamination or IV dislodgement.

Adhesive performance directly influences the safety and comfort of patients, as well as the efficiency of care teams. Products with advanced adhesives reduce time spent on reapplication and skin injury management, enabling better patient throughput and fewer complications. These improvements can significantly reduce costs associated with re-taping, site infections, and patient dissatisfaction.

Innovations in Medical Adhesives for Securement Dressings

The latest adhesive innovations focus on customizing peel strength, wear time, and repositionability. Features such as patterned adhesives, differential adhesion zones, and breathable construction enhance performance while maintaining skin integrity.

Avery Dennison Medical develops medical-grade adhesives tailored for IV securement dressing needs. These adhesives are validated for:

• Skin compatibility and biocompatibility

• Long wear duration and consistent peel force

• Repositionability without adhesion loss

• High conformability on curved anatomical areas

Our adhesive platforms are available in a range of formats and can be customized for specific clinical needs or OEM integration. Whether supporting standard IV dressings or high-performance securement systems, our adhesive technology meets evolving care standards. Some adhesives can even be developed with change indicators or antimicrobial overlays to further enhance usability. Reach out to our team to learn more about specific applications we have developed. 

Material Science Behind Medical Adhesives for IV Dressings

Material science plays a central role in determining the clinical performance of IV dressing adhesives. The formulation of an adhesive dictates how well it adheres, how it interacts with skin oils and moisture, and how it performs under strain. This is particularly important for IV securement, where dressing integrity must be maintained over extended durations and through frequent movement.

Avery Dennison Medical leverages a deep understanding of polymer chemistry, substrate design, and clinical testing to engineer adhesives that perform in complex care environments. This includes:

• Temperature and humidity tolerance

• Low-residue removal

• Conformance to highly contoured skin surfaces

• Reliable adhesion during prolonged wear

• Regulatory compliance with ISO and FDA standards

Such innovations ensure that securement dressings perform consistently in ICU, outpatient, and home healthcare settings alike. These adhesives are also evaluated under dynamic use conditions to simulate real-world challenges such as movement, perspiration, and long-term application.

Clinical Evidence and Use Case Performance

Clinical evaluations of IV dressings with advanced adhesives have shown measurable improvements in patient comfort and staff efficiency. Adhesive dressings designed for IV securement consistently demonstrate:

• Reduced incidence of MARSI (Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury)

• Longer dwell times with fewer dressing changes

• Improved tolerance among high-risk populations

• Fewer device-related complications due to enhanced seal integrity

• Higher patient satisfaction scores linked to comfort and ease of removal

These outcomes translate to happier patients and reduced costs associated with line replacement and wound treatment. By using adhesives specifically formulated for the skin-contact environment, healthcare providers can deliver safer and more effective care.

Partnering with Avery Dennison Medical for Adhesive Innovation

We collaborate with our clients to create adhesives that deliver both clinical and commercial value. Our adhesive scientists and product developers support partners through:

• Adhesive-substrate compatibility testing

• Tailored adhesion profiles for different dressing types

• Manufacturing scale-up and regulatory alignment

Whether you require adhesives for short-term securement or extended wear IV dressings, Avery Dennison Medical provides reliable, skin-friendly solutions tailored for clinical success. Our broad capabilities allow us to support device makers with differentiated securement platforms built on the foundation of trusted adhesive performance.

Explore how Avery Dennison Medical’s adhesive technologies can improve IV dressing securement and skin protection. Visit medical.averydennison.com to learn more.

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