Background
- A type of central line infection characterized by superficial soft tissue infection around the exit site of a central line
Case Definition
IDSA
- Hyperemia, induration, and/or tenderness ≤2 cm from catheter exit site
- May be associated with fever and purulent drainage from the exit site
- May or may not be associated with bacteremia
CDC
- Erythema or induration within 2 cm of the catheter exit site, in the absence of concomitant bloodstream infection and without concomitant purulence
Management
- Swab any purulent drainage and send for culture
- Treat empirically for typical skin and soft tissue infection, then adjust based on culture results
- Duration typically 7 to 14 days
