What Are We Measuring?
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common type of healthcare-associated infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the UTI’s acquired in the hospital, approximately 75% are associated with a urinary catheter, which is a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine. The greatest risk factor for catheter associated UTI (CAUTI) is the prolonged use of the urinary catheter. Urinary catheters should be removed when no longer needed.
A CAUTI occurs when germs enter the urinary tract through the urinary catheter and cause infection. The risk of CAUTI can be decreased by following sterile technique during insertion of the urinary catheter, keeping the sterile draining system intact, and removing the urinary catheter as soon as possible.