Role of “bladder care bundle” and “infection control nurse” in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection in a peripheral hospital

Abstract

Background: Care bundles are an effective means of reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) when they are implemented with high impact interventions. Care bundle approach only works when every element of the bundle is implemented for every appropriate patient, every time and with high impact. Aim: This study aims to study the efficacy of CAUTI Care Bundle and of infection control nurse (ICN) in reducing the incidence of CAUTI in a zonal hospital. Materials and Methods: The study was with an initial baseline phase (observational) of 8 months followed by an intervention Phase of 21 months. The intervention phase was further divided into intervention Phase I (8 months) and intervention Phase II (13 months). Intervention Phase I included a multidimensional approach of education and training of health-care staff for catheter management and prevention of CAUTI and implementation of catheter care bundle. In intervention Phase II education of health-care workers and implementation of catheter care bundle was done under constant supervision and guidance of ICN. Results: We recorded a total of 834 urinary catheter days: 309 in baseline phase, 314 in intervention Phase I, and 211 in intervention Phase II. It was found that the incidence rate of CAUTI, measured as episodes per 1000 catheter days is 64.72 in baseline phase, 25.47 in intervention Phase I, and 18.95 in intervention Phase II. The catheter care bundle approach along with education of the staff reduced the CAUTI incidence by 60.64 and when the same was applied under the constant supervision of ICN for the CAUTI reduction rate was clinically significant with 70.72. Conclusions: The catheter care bundle approach along with the education of the staff reduced the CAUTI incidence by 60.64 episodes/1000 catheter days and when the same was applied under constant supervision of ICN for the CAUTI reduction rate was clinically significant with 70.72