Extravasation guidelines

January 10, 2009

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The North Trent Cancer Network have published extravasation guidelines. “This policy describes the procedure to be followed following extravasation of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Not all chemotherapy is vesicant (i.e. can cause severe tissue damage when given into the surrounding tissue) but most chemotherapy potentially causes irritation and injury to the tissue and should be treated according to the following procedure. If tissue damage is suspected then treatment must be initiated quickly” (NTCN 2008).

The contents of the guidelines include:

Recognition of an Extravasation from a Peripheral cannula
Recognition of an extravasation from a Central Venous Access Device
Action to be Taken if Extravasation Occurs via a Peripheral Cannula
Action to be taken if an extravasation Occurs via a Central Venous Access Device
Guidelines for the Management of Extravasation during Administration of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
Quick Reference Guide for Immediate Treatment of Extravasation via a Peripheral Cannula – Algorithm
Principles for Minimising Extravasation while Administering Cytotoxic Drugs
Guidelines for Assessing Patency
North Trent guidelines for the management of extravasation from cytotoxic chemotherapy

Click here to access the full guideline.

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