Urinary Tract Infections: A Case Study
Catheter Acquired Urinary Tract Infections
Catheter Acquired Urinary Tract Infections
Catheter acquired urinary tract infection is one of the most common acquired nosocomial infections (Nicolle, 2008). According to Newman (2010), they constitute 40% of all hospital-acquired infections, and 80% of these infections are attributable to indwelling urethral catheter (IUC) use. The incidence of bacteriuria is 3%–10% per catheter day (Furfari & Wald, 2008). Catheter-associated infections have harmful outcomes, including catheter or stent obstruction caused by biofilm formation, which usually requires removal and reinsertion of the device. Urinary catheters also cause other health issues, such as trauma to the bladder and urethral mucosa,
discomfort for patients, and reactions to catheter materials, including hypersensitivity reactions to latex or inflammatory responses leading to urethral strictures (Nicolle, 2008). IUC’s have been linked to a risk for death four times greater during hospitalization in older adult patients (Newman, 2010). Cost is also an issue of concern with catheter associated infections. The cost of treating a catheter associated infection can range from $980 to $2900 per case (Newman, 2010). The CDC has developed guidelines for prevention of catheter associated UTIs. Some states have implemented their own practices on the topic. Medicare and Medicaid have also implicated financial responsibility to the health care facility where the patient acquired the infection. Catheter acquired UTIs have been a concern for more than 50 years. One of the earliest articles concerning catheter acquired UTI’s was published in the American Journal of Medicine. The author Beeson (1958) wrote about the risks and potential harm of an indwelling urinary catheter. Given the emphasis on the quality and costs of healthcare, it is an opportune time to revisit catheter management and use as a way to combat the clinical and economic consequences of catheter acquired UTIs.
Catheter Acquired Urinary Tract Infections
Catheter acquired urinary tract infection is one of the most common acquired nosocomial infections (Nicolle, 2008). According to Newman (2010), they constitute 40% of all hospital-acquired infections, and 80% of these infections are attributable to indwelling urethral catheter (IUC) use. The incidence of bacteriuria is 3%–10% per catheter day (Furfari & Wald, 2008). Catheter-associated infections have harmful outcomes, including catheter or stent obstruction caused by biofilm formation, which usually requires removal and reinsertion of the device. Urinary catheters also cause other health issues, such as trauma to the bladder and urethral mucosa,
discomfort for patients, and reactions to catheter materials, including hypersensitivity reactions to latex or inflammatory responses leading to urethral strictures (Nicolle, 2008). IUC’s have been linked to a risk for death four times greater during hospitalization in older adult patients (Newman, 2010). Cost is also an issue of concern with catheter associated infections. The cost of treating a catheter associated infection can range from $980 to $2900 per case (Newman, 2010). The CDC has developed guidelines for prevention of catheter associated UTIs. Some states have implemented their own practices on the topic. Medicare and Medicaid have also implicated financial responsibility to the health care facility where the patient acquired the infection. Catheter acquired UTIs have been a concern for more than 50 years. One of the earliest articles concerning catheter acquired UTI’s was published in the American Journal of Medicine. The author Beeson (1958) wrote about the risks and potential harm of an indwelling urinary catheter. Given the emphasis on the quality and costs of healthcare, it is an opportune time to revisit catheter management and use as a way to combat the clinical and economic consequences of catheter acquired UTIs.