Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) have become one of the most common healthcare-acquired infections in the United States (Gould, Gaze, Drey, & Cooper, 2017). CAUTIs commonly affect elderly patients in both acute-care settings and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes (Gould et al., 2017). The research suggests that while healthcare-associated urinary tract infections are increasing, the majority of them are preventable by practicing evidence-based prevention measures (McNeill, 2017). It was determined by The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) (as cited in McNeill, 2017) that four essential components can contribute to the prevention of CAUTIs: avoiding unnecessary placement of indwelling catheters, …show more content…
It must also be noted that research indicates many catheters are left in place unnecessarily or removal orders are carelessly forgotten, or not correctly followed (McNeill, 2017). With the elderly being at an increased risk, adhering to placement guidelines, avoiding unnecessary placement of catheters, and paying attention to catheter duration can contribute to a reduction in the risk of infection. Insertion and Removal CAUTIs are urinary tract infections (UTIs) related to the placement of indwelling catheters and are typically caused by the transfer of bacteria into the urinary tract-either during or after placement (McNeill, 2017). When a catheter is believed to be clinically necessary, using aseptic technique is another preventative measure to avoid CAUTIs (McNeill, 2017). Nurses are the primary health care professionals who insert catheters (McNeill, 2017). Adherence to the principles of aseptic technique and emphasizing the use of a catheter-insertion nursing policy may help in promoting accurate placement and minimizing the infection risk (McNeill, 2017). In addition to safe practice during insertion, the removal of catheters as early as possible is another basic yet critical component for the prevention of infection (McNeill, 2017). Research shows how prompt removal can aid in infection prevention as the risk of developing bacteria in the urine increases to about 100% after 30 days of placement (McNeill, 2017). Maintenance Guidelines
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2017), “Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the fourth most common type of healthcare-associated infection, with an estimated 93,300 UTIs in acute care hospitals in 2011. UTIs additionally account for more than 12% of infections reported by acute care hospitals. Virtually all healthcare-associated UTIs are caused by instrumentation of the urinary tract” (p. 7-1).
Nurses lacked knowledge in the use and was unaware of the importance of the underlying evidence- base recommended criteria’s indicated on the nurse driven protocol to remove inappropriate UC’s. A nurse driven indwelling catheter removal protocol is an evidence base tool recommended by infection control organization and experts for the early removal of unnecessary or inappropriately placed urinary catheters (UC). Evidence shows that urinary catheters are the source of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). CAUTI, is the leading cause of hospital acquired infections in the United States. The purpose of this evidence-based quality project is to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on the importance and use of the nurse driven protocol on nurses ' knowledge and CAUTI rates.
1) Summary of Article: Indwelling catheter use is common, but so are infections associated with them. About 80 percent of all urinary tract infections in hospitals are caused by catheters, and about 20 percent of all hospital infections total are UTIs. Evidence-based practice should be used for insertion, maintenance, and removal. Catheters should not be left in longer than they need to be. Unfortunately, this research shows poor administrative efforts are to blame for
In 2013, a magnet recognized hospital, Baptist Health Lexington, reduced CAUTI rates in ICU patients by 60% (Roser, Piercy & Altpeter, 2014). The study included six interventions that were followed by the staff in the effort to reduce CAUTI. The six interventions included: “communication of CAUTI data to interdisciplinary teams, a nurse-driven, physician approved protocol, problem analysis using Lean principles, daily unit-based surveillance rounds, silver alloy urinary catheters, and an antimicrobial bundle comprised of two cleansing products for patients with an indwelling urinary catheter” (Roser, Piercy & Altpeter, 2014). The nurse-physician protocol allowed for nurses to assess whether the catheter was still necessary and if found not to be, the nurse could discontinue it. This resulted in a 58% decrease in the number of catheters used (Roser, Piercy & Altpeter, 2014). An education session was implemented by nurses using principles from the Lean system that checked the capability of nurses to understand just how dangerous CAUTI can be. It was found that no single intervention alone could reduce the occurrence of CAUTI development. Nurses must integrate several interventions to have an effective result at lowering the rates. However, this particular study found that after the use of the antimicrobial bundle, rates of CAUTI did decline. Roser et al. (2014) emphasized that education and awareness of
Urinary tract infections are one of the most hospital-acquired infections in the country. With so much technology and evidence based practice, why is this still an ongoing problem worldwide? Could it simply be the basics of hygiene or just patient negligence? The purpose of this paper is to identify multiple studies that have been done to reduce or prevent hospital associated urinary tract infections. In these articles you will find the use of different interventions that will aid in lowering the risk of these hospital acquired infections.
Also another serious complication of CAUTI is BSI (Blood stream infections) that can be fatal if not caught and treated promptly. “The Clinical Performance of Quality Health Care, along with Joint Commission” offers standards and objectives for facilities to assess measure and improve their standards at the lowest cost possible. The database covers nursing care and education, along with guidelines on prevention. Moreover the JCAHO regulatory standards for catheterized patients are explained and the documentation that is expected when JCAHO inspections are rendered in a facility. The source “Stop orders to reduce inappropriate urinary catheterization in hospitalized patients” states that by following standard precautions with every patient these infections can be prevented. . Also the source explored whether catheters should be used at all in an effort to decrease the incidence of CAUTI’s. Intermittent catheterizations along with supra-pubic were explored with a decreased incidence of bacteria being present in the bladder afterwards. The source “Strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in acute care hospitals” offered ways of cleansing and disinfecting the skin before insertion to reduce the risk of infection. Many CAUTI’s are linked to bacteria harboring in or around the site at insertion. By using not only aseptic technique but also cleansing the skin with chlorhexadine can decrease he incidence of infection
Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Older Adults: Improving Health Outcomes through Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention
A nurse-driven protocol is the recommended tool to be used by the nurse to remove catheters without orders following set CDC guidelines and prevent CAUTI
National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs), established in 2002 by the Joint Commission, is to help accredited organizations address specific areas of concern in regard to patient safety ("Catheter-Associated," 2015). NPSG.07.06.01 Implement evidence-based practices to prevent indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is a 2015 NPSG ("The Joint Commission," 2015). Our facility has 1.32 CAUTIs per 1000 device days (Carson, 2015). Decreasing CAUTIs can be achieved with a strict goal, addressing the financial implications, interdisciplinary collaboration, nursing leadership, a measurement tool, and discussing the future healthcare delivery methods.
Presented by BMJ Quality and Safety, Meddings et al (2013) sought to review interventions to reduce unnecessary catheter usage and prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The review panel consisted of six individuals all listed as authors on this integrative review who utilized two
Nursing research offers the scientific foundation for the practice of the profession. “In order for nursing to be at the forefront of knowledge generation and address societal issues and health care, nursing research must be relevant to health and illness situations, scientifically rigorous, and readily translatable into practice and health policy”(Potempa & Tilden, 2004). Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs), accounts for almost 40% of all nosocomial infections, which result in increased morbidity, mortality, and costs and, it is one of the most common health care- associated infections in acute care area. The study existed in this paper discourses the influence of the 2008 nonpayment policy of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) from the viewpoint of infection preventionists.
The patient and their families must be aware of the infection, the source of infection, signs and symptoms, treatments, and measures to apply at home to decrease their risk of receiving an infection. Because geriatric patients are incontinent they may need a catheter in place to help remove their urine. Nurses must perform aseptic technique, wearing proper gloves when inserting or removing device. Another way to help reduce the risk of elderly urinary tract infections would be to avoid or remove catheter soon as possible. Once patients are cleared for discharge they must be aware of the steps to take to insure proper bladder
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common nosocomial infection; accounting for up to 40% of infections reported by acute care hospitals. Up to 80% of UTIs are associated with the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter. Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) represent the largest proportion of healthcare associated infections (HAI). Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) increases hospital cost and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality .CAUTIs are considered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to represent a reasonably preventable complication of hospitalization. As such, no additional payment is provided to hospitals for CAUTI treatment-related costs.CAUTIs can lead to
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a fairly common complication in hospitalized patients. Nosocomial infection prevention and patient safety promotion has been issued and many researches have been conducted to improve patient’s quality of life. In this article, Saint et al. (2005) hypothesize that using a paper-based urinary catheter reminder can reduce the incidence of urinary catheterization, and consequently this will enhance the patients’ safety.
The Quality Improvement nursing process that I have chosen to research is patient safety. I have chosen to focus specifically on the topic of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI’s) during hospitalization and their preventions. It is estimated that 15-25% of hospitalized patients receive a urinary catheter throughout their stay, whether or not they need it. A large 80% of all patients diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) can be attributed to a catheter (Bernard, Hunter, and Moore, 2012). The bacteria may gain entry into the bladder during insertion of the catheter, during manipulation of the catheter or drainage system, around the catheter, and after removal.