Source control
Formal Definition
Any procedure aimed at eliminating or controlling the anatomical origin of an infection, including drainage of abscesses, debridement of infected tissue, removal of infected foreign bodies (lines, prosthetics, pacing leads), or surgical repair of perforated viscera; an essential component of sepsis management alongside antimicrobials.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Is there source control?" or "source control is the priority here" — the surgical or procedural intervention needed to actually cure the infection, because antibiotics alone won't work if the source persists.
Example
""Blood cultures positive for Staph aureus — echocardiogram shows no vegetation, but CT shows a 4 cm psoas abscess. This won't clear on antibiotics alone — IR is draining the abscess today for source control.""
Clinical Context
Source control is often the rate-limiting step in treating infection. Key source control scenarios: drain abscesses (I&D or IR-guided drainage), remove infected central lines (especially for fungemia or S. aureus bacteremia), surgical washout for necrotizing fasciitis (emergent — mortality rises significantly with delay), debridement for osteomyelitis, cholecystectomy or drainage for cholecystitis. ID principle: antibiotics suppress bacteria; source control eliminates the reservoir. Without source control, bacteremia will recur.
281 clinical terms, flashcards, quizzes, and ward simulations. Free to start.
Practice All Terms on DoctorSpeak