Journey to Reducing Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

BackgroundCatheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) is the most common type of Healthcare associated Infection (HAI). There has been an increase in CAUTI awareness due to public reporting and changes in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement (CMS). Numerous strategies have been employed to reduce CAUTI, but those proven most effective have been the placement of catheters only for appropriate indications, removing the catheter as soon as possible, and employment of a nurse driven protocol.MethodsAn infection Preventionist, nurse leader, and physician leader formed a multidisciplinary team and set a goal to reduce the incidence of inpatient CAUTI in a 684 bed teaching hospital. The multidisciplinary team met monthly with the primary focus being implementation of a nurse driven urinary catheter removal protocol along with indications for placement of a urinary catheter and indications to culture urine. The education was offered to staff via multiple learning platforms.ResultsConclusionsCMS and public reporting changes brought CAUTI infection rates to the attention of front line leaders. A multidisciplinary effort in a CAUTI reduction intervention reduced infection rates and catheter utilization drastically. The effects of the intervention have been sustained over time with the use of the nurse driven urinary catheter removal protocol. BackgroundCatheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) is the most common type of Healthcare associated Infection (HAI). There has been an increase in CAUTI awareness due to public reporting and changes in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement (CMS). Numerous strategies have been employed to reduce CAUTI, but those proven most effective have been the placement of catheters only for appropriate indications, removing the catheter as soon as possible, and employment of a nurse driven protocol. Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) is the most common type of Healthcare associated Infection (HAI). There has been an increase in CAUTI awareness due to public reporting and changes in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement (CMS). Numerous strategies have been employed to reduce CAUTI, but those proven most effective have been the placement of catheters only for appropriate indications, removing the catheter as soon as possible, and employment of a nurse driven protocol. MethodsAn infection Preventionist, nurse leader, and physician leader formed a multidisciplinary team and set a goal to reduce the incidence of inpatient CAUTI in a 684 bed teaching hospital. The multidisciplinary team met monthly with the primary focus being implementation of a nurse driven urinary catheter removal protocol along with indications for placement of a urinary catheter and indications to culture urine. The education was offered to staff via multiple learning platforms. An infection Preventionist, nurse leader, and physician leader formed a multidisciplinary team and set a goal to reduce the incidence of inpatient CAUTI in a 684 bed teaching hospital. The multidisciplinary team met monthly with the primary focus being implementation of a nurse driven urinary catheter removal protocol along with indications for placement of a urinary catheter and indications to culture urine. The education was offered to staff via multiple learning platforms. Results ConclusionsCMS and public reporting changes brought CAUTI infection rates to the attention of front line leaders. A multidisciplinary effort in a CAUTI reduction intervention reduced infection rates and catheter utilization drastically. The effects of the intervention have been sustained over time with the use of the nurse driven urinary catheter removal protocol. CMS and public reporting changes brought CAUTI infection rates to the attention of front line leaders. A multidisciplinary effort in a CAUTI reduction intervention reduced infection rates and catheter utilization drastically. The effects of the intervention have been sustained over time with the use of the nurse driven urinary catheter removal protocol.