Portal of Exit

• The portal of exit is how the infectious agent leaves the reservoir or host.
• Portals of Exit can include:
  • The mouth via secretions of saliva or when a client vomits.
  • The respiratory tract when a client’s secretions exit by sneezing, coughing, talking, or laughing.
  • Skin lesions via blood or exudate.
  • The gastrointestinal and genitourinary/urogenital tracts when a client excretes urine, feces, semen, or vaginal secretions. 
• When the infectious agent exits the body and enters a host’s eyes, nose, or mouth or contaminates an inanimate surface, there is a potential for transmitting the infectious agent.

How do you break the link of the Portal of Exit?

• Perform hand hygiene and follow routine practices.
• Encourage and teach clients about respiratory etiquette when you see a client cough or sneeze into their hands and does not perform hand hygiene.
• Encourage clients to dispose of soiled tissues after use.
• Cover wounds to avoid contamination through excretions.
• Dispose of contaminated linens and waste in the appropriate receptacles if a client is incontinent of stool or urine. 
• When teaching or assisting a client with their personal hygiene, remember the technique of cleaning from cleanest to dirtiest areas (e.g., perineal care, bathing).