Follow‐up will be dependent on the patient's needs and the degree of damage. Assessment should be carried out using a standardized tool (INS [142]) and include inspection and management of the area of extravasation, skin integrity, the presence of pain and other symptoms (such as impaired mobility or sensation in the limb) (Table 15.19). If damage has occurred, it will be affected by the site, the amount of drug, the concentration of the agent and whether the drug binds to DNA or not (Polovich et al. [287]). Blistering may occur within 24 hours (e.g. with vinorelbine) or ulceration may occur over a period of days to weeks (e.g. with epirubicin), and extravasation wounds may be complicated by tissue ischaemia related to endothelial damage (Naylor [224]). The type of injury will dictate the type of dressing. Assessment of the wound should include the position and size of the wound, the amount and type of tissue present, the amount and type of exudate, and the extent and spread of erythema (Naylor [224]). If the flush‐out technique has been undertaken then the incisions should be dressed using a dressing that allows the fluid to continue to leak from the site, for example Mepitel. It is also important to recognize the impact on the patient's psychological and situational dynamics, which may diminish their quality of life (Gonzalez [106]).

An extravasation must be reported and fully documented as it is an adverse incident and the patient may require follow‐up care (RCN [295]). The Oncology Nursing Society lists the key elements of vesicant extravasation documentation (Polovich et al. [287]) (Box 15.19). Statistics on the incidence, degree, causes and corrective action should be monitored and analysed (Gonzalez [106], INS [142], Pérez Fidalgo et al. [280]). Finally, records may be required in the case of litigation, which is now on the increase (Doellman et al. [72], Dougherty [76], Masoorli [187]).

Patients should always be informed when an extravasation has occurred and be given an explanation of what has happened and what management has been carried out (INS [142], McCaffrey Boyle and Engelking [189]). An information sheet should be given to patients with instructions on what symptoms to look out for and when to contact the hospital during the follow‐up period (Gabriel [100]).