Anchoring system for use with neonates

A method of securing a medical article to the skin of a neonate, the method comprising:

• selecting an attachment region on the skin of the neonate;
• providing a retainer having a channel formed therethrough, an attachment portion, and at least one mounting wing, the channel being configured to receive and retain a medical article, the channel being configured to suspend the medical article at a fixed angle relative to the skin of the neonate, the attachment portion having a longitudinal length less than a longitudinal length of the at least one mounting wing;
• aligning the retainer with respect to the medical article;
• pressing the medical article through a lower opening disposed on an underside of the retainer and into the channel;
• and
• adhering the attachment portion of the retainer to the attachment region, at least a portion of the mounting wing extending beyond the attachment region, wherein the selected attachment region is disposed on the neonate so that at least an entire distal portion of the at least one mounting wing is cantilevered off the skin.

A method of securing a medical article to the skin of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a retainer including at least one flexible anchor pad having an adhesive layer which releasably attaches to the patient's skin, at least one mounting wing attached to the anchor pad, at least one abutment, a channel disposed to a distal side of the retainer and being configured to suspend at least a portion of the medical article at a fixed angle relative to the skin of the patient, the channel having a surface with a preformed curve that curves through an arc of greater than 180 degrees so as to elevate the portion of the medical article above the skin of the patient;
• selecting an attachment region on the skin of the patient;
• positioning the retainer on the medical article;
• pressing the medical article into the channel through an opening formed on the underside of the retainer, the opening being disposed on an underside of the retainer;
• abutting the medical article against the abutment to inhibit longitudinal motion of the medical article relative to the retainer in at least one direction;
• and
• positioning said anchor pad within the attachment region so that at least an entire distal portion of the at least one mounting wing is cantilevered off the skin.