Prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in patients with hip fractures through education of nurses to specific catheter protocols.

The majority of patients who experience hip fractures are elderly, and complications in these patients increase length of hospital stays, medical costs, and mortality rates. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are one of the common complications in this patient population. Studies have demonstrated that the use of specific indwelling urinary catheter protocols will decrease the catheter use and prevent CAUTI. The purpose of this evidence-based practice change project was to demonstrate that education of nurses on specific catheter protocols decreases the incidence of urinary tract infections in the population with hip fracture. The effectiveness of the education was measured by pre- and posttests given to the nurses. The actual number of CAUTI was also tracked and the outcomes suggest that the education and implementation of specific protocols decreased the overall incidence of CAUTI in these patients.