T80.8
DESCRIPTION
Chemotherapeutic agents are classified as vesicants (can cause necrosis), non-vesicants, and irritants.
Patients present with pain and erythema at infusion site, swelling, necrosis, contractures.
GENERAL MEASURES
Limb Elevation.
MEDICINE TREATMENT
Long Term
Small localised area of erythema at the catheter insertion site will usually resolve without antibiotic therapy.
In patients with larger areas of erythema and tenderness extending beyond the insertion site, where secondary infection is suspected:
- Clindamycin, oral, 450 mg 8 hourly for 5 days.
Catheter related infections
If patients with peripheral or central venous catheter infections are systemically unwell they should be treated as a venous catheter-related systemic blood infection.
Microbiologic specimen (for speciation and sensitivity).
REFERRAL
All patients to oncological department where chemotherapy was administered