Schaefer et al reported a score for describing the exit site for a peritoneal dialysis catheter. The presence of an exit site infection is often associated with peritonitis. The authors are from University Children's Hospitals in Heidelberg, Marburg and Hamburg.
Patient selection: pediatric patient with a peritoneal dialysis catheter
Parameters describing the exit site:
(1) swelling
(2) crust
(3) redness or erythema
(4) pain or tenderness on pressure
(5) secretion
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
swelling |
none |
0 |
|
|
moderate |
1 |
|
|
severe |
2 |
|
crust |
none |
0 |
|
|
< 0.5 cm |
1 |
|
|
>= 0.5 cm |
2 |
|
redness or erythema |
none |
0 |
|
|
< 0.5 cm |
1 |
|
|
>= 0.5 cm |
2 |
|
pain or tenderness |
none |
0 |
|
|
moderate |
1 |
|
|
severe |
2 |
|
secretion |
none |
0 |
|
|
serous discharge |
1 |
|
|
purulent discharge |
2 |
where:
• Swelling and tenderness have no categories for mild.
total exit site score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 10
• A score >= 4 is associated with an infection of the exit site.
Specialty: Infectious Diseases, Surgery, general, Gastroenterology
