Criteria for Infection at the Exit Site of an Intravascular Catheter

Overivew:

The exit site of an intravascular catheter may become infected.

 

Features of an exit site infection:

(1) inflammation confined to the area around the exit site (< 2 cm)

(2) culture of exudate positive for a bacterial or fungal organism

 

Inflammation may involve:

(1) erythema

(2) tenderness

(3) induration

(4) serous or purulent discharge

 

The inflammatory reaction should not extend along the tunneled segment in a pure exit site infection.