BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common, morbid, and costly. Nearly 25% of hospitalized patients are catheterized yearly, and 10% develop urinary tract infections. Evidence-based guidelines exist for indwelling urinary catheter management but are not consistently followed. METHODS: A pre/post intervention design was used in this quality improvement project to test the impact of nurse-driven interventions based on current evidence to reduce CAUTIs in hospitalized patients on 2 medical/surgical units. Interventions consisted of hospital-wide strategies including policy and product improvements and unit-specific strategies that focused on a review of current evidence to guide practice. RESULTS: The number of catheter days decreased from 3.01 to 2.2 (P = .018) on the surgery unit and from 3.53 to 2.7 (P = .076) on the medical unit. CAUTI rates were too low to achieve significant reduction. Product cost savings were estimated at $52,000/year. CONCLUSION: Guidelines derived from research and other sources of evidence can successfully improve patient outcomes. Nurse-driven interventions, combined with system-wide product changes, and patient and family involvement may be effective strategies that reduce CAUTI.
BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common, morbid, and costly. Nearly 25% of hospitalized patients are catheterized yearly, and 10% develop urinary tract infections. Evidence-based guidelines exist for indwelling urinary catheter management but are not consistently followed. METHODS: A pre/post intervention design was used in this quality improvement project to test the impact of nurse-driven interventions based on current evidence to reduce CAUTIs in hospitalized patients on 2 medical/surgical units. Interventions consisted of hospital-wide strategies including policy and product improvements and unit-specific strategies that focused on a review of current evidence to guide practice. RESULTS: The number of catheter days decreased from 3.01 to 2.2 (P = .018) on the surgery unit and from 3.53 to 2.7 (P = .076) on the medical unit. CAUTI rates were too low to achieve significant reduction. Product cost savings were estimated at $52,000/year. CONCLUSION: Guidelines derived from research and other sources of evidence can successfully improve patient outcomes. Nurse-driven interventions, combined with system-wide product changes, and patient and family involvement may be effective strategies that reduce CAUTI.
Authors: Hang Ren; Alessandro Colletta; Dipankar Koley; Jianfeng Wu; Chuanwu Xi; Terry C Major; Robert H Bartlett; Mark E Meyerhoff Journal: Bioelectrochemistry Date: 2014-12-18 Impact factor: 5.373
Authors: Donna M Prentice; Carrie Sona; Brian T Wessman; Enyo A Ablordeppey; Warren Isakow; Cassandra Arroyo; Marilyn Schallom Journal: J Intensive Care Soc Date: 2017-11-13
Authors: Bona Yoon; Samantha D McIntosh; Leslie Rodriguez; Alma Holley; Charles J Faselis; Angelike P Liappis Journal: Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis Date: 2013-03-06