Decreasing Catheter Associated UTIs (CAUTIs): Our Journey

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 27 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA (UroToday.com) - This descriptive study reported on the relatively high number of CAUTIs in a 35 bed urology, medical-surgery unit.

The NJ CAUTIs rate is 7%, HNH is above 14.5%, and the urology unit was 15.9%. Staff implemented an in-house educational program that included: elimination of convenience Foley's, initiation of physician protocols, compliance with nursing protocols, criteria for insertion and standards of care. A physician order sheet mandating catheter removal after 72 hrs was created. Challenges included lack of "buy-in" from staff and physicians, need for a definite ongoing plan of action, high RN turnover, and patients refusal of removal. The unit switched to silver alloy catheters, individual patient assessment and patient/family/nursing and physician education.

No outcomes were reported.

Presented by A. Campanellie J. Perelli, R. Rochford, B. Dorset, and T. Lennon-Giles, at the 39th Annual Conference of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates - October 3 - 6, 2008 - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Diane K. Newman, MSN, CRNP, FAAN, BCIA-PMDB

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