116: DE-ESCALATING URINARY CATHETER OUTPUT MEASUREMENT REPORTING IN THE ICU: A QUALITATIVE SURVEY

Abstract

Introduction: Indwelling urinary catheter utilization and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates remain high among intensive care unit (ICU) patients despite targeted, best practice de-implementation efforts. ICU de-escalation protocols to decrease urinary catheter output measurement reporting could lead to increased urinary catheter removal. As part of our multimodal strategies to advance early urinary catheter removal in select patients, we evaluate attitudes and perceptions of urinary catheter necessity and hourly urine output measurement in the ICU. Methods: We conducted brief qualitative survey at an urban, academic medical center among surgical ICU nurses (RN’s), Advance practice providers (APP), and physicians (MD). Participants selection was random and based on if the patient had a urinary catheter in place. We assessed self-reported perceptions of hourly urine output need as well as perceived barriers toward de-escalation of urinary output measurement reporting (from hourly to q2 or q4hrs) and urinary catheter removal. Results: 51 survey responses were collected in the beginning of the academic calendar. Survey participants were 74.5 percent RN, 7.8 percent APP, and 15.7 percent MD. Most were aware of their ICU urinary catheter removal protocol (52.9%). Participants felt that for a given patient, 74.5% needed hourly urine output monitoring. The most cited indication of hourly urinary catheter measurements was “using urine measure as a marker of perfusion”, “hemodynamic instability”, and “acute kidney injury” (AKI). Missing acute changes related to perfusion or AKI was frequently reported as negative consequence of decreasing urinary catheter output measurement reporting. Being off vasopressors was the most common criteria reported to facilitate acceptance of less frequent urinary catheter output measurement reporting. Resolution of AKI and urinary retention were commonly reported as facilitators for urinary catheter removal. Conclusions: De-escalating urinary catheter output measurement reporting in the ICU is novel. There are notable barriers to this practice that need further exploration to potentially decrease urinary catheter utilization rates in the ICU.