Medline Launches Revolutionary Program To Reduce The Risk Of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 25 Aug 2009 - 3:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

In an effort to help clinicians reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), Medline Industries, Inc. launched a ground-breaking Foley catheter management system featuring a reengineered catheter tray coupled with an evidence-based clinical education program. CAUTI, the most common healthcare-associated infection, accounts for 40 percent of all hospital-acquired infections.(1) Studies show that one in four patients receives an indwelling urinary catheter at some point during their hospital stay(2) and up to 50 percent of these catheters are placed unnecessarily.(3)

"Even though clinicians do their best to practice good aseptic techniques, infections happen due to poor technique or because the catheter is left in too long," said Alecia Cooper, RN, MBA, CNOR, Sr. Vice President, Clinical Services for Medline. "The ERASE CAUTI™ Foley catheter management system emphasizes evidence-based technique and training with a revolutionary designed tray to assist the clinician in using a proven and safe method for catheter insertion and maintenance."

In reengineering the Foley catheter tray, Medline focused on incorporating tools and tips for improving the insertion process to help minimize CAUTI risk. For example, the tray features an innovative one-layer design that guides the clinician through the process of placing the catheter while ensuring aseptic technique. (Typical catheter trays consist of two layers, requiring additional room to perform the procedure, increasing the risk of breaking the sterile field.) Visual reminders and cues are strategically placed to guide the clinician through the correct procedure.

"The new tray design, instructions, arrangement, and labeled components are designed to help make it hard for the worker to do the wrong thing," said Sue MacInnes, Chief Marketing Officer for Medline. "We worked very closely with clinicians to solicit their feedback on the tray design and incorporated their ideas and recommendations into the final product."

Key to the program's effectiveness is the use of the acronym ERASE, for which each letter triggers the next step in the proper use of the tray and promotes the recommended guidelines from leading industry experts, including the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Joint Commission.

The letters in ERASE stand for:

E -- Evaluate indicators
R -- Read directions and tips
A -- Aseptic technique
S -- Secure catheter
E -- Educate the patient

A crucial component of the ERASE CAUTI™ program is comprehensive provider education for nursing staff that helps bridge the gap between inconsistent practices. The education consists of two parts. Part one includes a review of the ERASE CAUTI™ training program, a short pre-test and naming of the program's coordinators/champions to implement the ERASE CAUTI™ program in the facility. The second part consists of four 15-minute training modules that can be taken on the company's online Web site, Medline University; reviewing current practice guidelines, a sample policy and procedure, competency validation tools and a post test.

Separate patient and family education information is also being provided to ensure that the patient will continue to receive the proper care during their stay and after leaving the healthcare facility.

"The current state of health care demands that nurses play a leading role in identifying and implementing CAUTI risk-reduction strategies," said MacInnes. "Medline is committed to educating and supporting nurses so that they may successfully rise to this challenge."

1. Catheter-related UTIs: a disconnect in preventive strategies. Physician's Weekly. 2008; 24(6).

2. Saint S, Kaufman SR, Thompson M, Rogers MA, Chenoweth CE. A reminder reduces urinary catheterization in hospitalized patients. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2005;31(8):455-462.

3. Stokowski, LA. Preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Medscape Nursing Perspectives. Available at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/587464_4. Accessed July 6, 2009.

Source
Medline Industries, Inc.

• Additional
• References
• Citations