Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are the most common type of healthcare-associated infections; accounting for more than 30% of healthcare-associated infections reported by acute care hospitals. Almost all healthcare-associated urinary-tract infections (UTIs) are caused by instrumentation of the urinary tract for example insertion of catheters. Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital cost, and length of stay (CDC, 2011).
The diagnosis of CAUTI is based on elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and finding bacteriuria in the urinalysis examination. Some of the following signs and symptoms may be present: * Pain or burning in the region of the bladder, urethra, or flank * Fever (greater than 100.4○ F or 38○ C) or chills * Malaise * Offensive urine odor * Change in color or character of urine, including cloudy urine or increased sediment * Hematuria * Bladder spasms or leakage * Catheter obstruction * Increased weakness or spasticity, especially, in those with neurological disease or injury * Change in mental status, particularly in older adults, such as confusion, lethargy, agitation, delirium, or subtle changes in behavior (Catheter, 2008).
Giving importance to the prevention of CAUTIs, the researchers have attempted various methods to prevent this common, costly, and morbid patient safety problem. In July 2010 the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) published guidelines to prevent CAUTI. The members of Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Michigan Patient Safety Research group also have been involved in the development of most of these guidelines and also have recommended a memory aid “ABCDE”
Urinary tract infections are the most common type of healthcare-associated infections; accounting for more than 30% of healthcare-associated infections reported by acute care hospitals. Almost all healthcare-associated urinary-tract infections (UTIs) are caused by instrumentation of the urinary tract for example insertion of catheters. Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital cost, and length of stay (CDC, 2011).
The diagnosis of CAUTI is based on elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and finding bacteriuria in the urinalysis examination. Some of the following signs and symptoms may be present: * Pain or burning in the region of the bladder, urethra, or flank * Fever (greater than 100.4○ F or 38○ C) or chills * Malaise * Offensive urine odor * Change in color or character of urine, including cloudy urine or increased sediment * Hematuria * Bladder spasms or leakage * Catheter obstruction * Increased weakness or spasticity, especially, in those with neurological disease or injury * Change in mental status, particularly in older adults, such as confusion, lethargy, agitation, delirium, or subtle changes in behavior (Catheter, 2008).
Giving importance to the prevention of CAUTIs, the researchers have attempted various methods to prevent this common, costly, and morbid patient safety problem. In July 2010 the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) published guidelines to prevent CAUTI. The members of Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Michigan Patient Safety Research group also have been involved in the development of most of these guidelines and also have recommended a memory aid “ABCDE”
References: Buchmann, B., & Stinnett, G. (2011). Reducing rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Alabama Nurse, 38(2), 5. CINAHL, EBSCOhost (accessed November 25, 2012). Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI): Fact Sheet (2008). Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society. Retrieved from http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.wocn.org/resource/collection/6D79B935-1AA0-4791-886F E361D29F152D/Catheter_Associated_Urinary_Tract_Infections_(CAUTI)_-_FS_(2008).pdf CAUTI Guideline Fast Facts (2009). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/CAUTI_fastFacts.html General catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention practices (2010 July). News @ Catheterout. Retrieved from http://www.catheterout.org/?q=general-prevention-practices.html Salamon, L. (2009). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: a nurse-sensitive indicator in an inpatient rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation Nursing, 34(6), 237-241. CINAHL, EBSCOhost (accessed November 25, 2012).