Urinary Tract Infections

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) remains one of the most prevalent, yet preventable, health care-associated infections and predominantly occurs in patients with indwelling urinary catheters. Targeted strategies for prevention of CAUTI include limiting urinary catheter use; physician reminder systems, nurse-initiated discontinuation protocols, and automatic stop orders have successfully decreased catheter duration. Alternatives to indwelling catheters should be considered in appropriate patients. If indwelling catheterization is necessary, proper aseptic practices for catheter insertion and maintenance and closed catheter collection system is essential for preventing CAUTI. The use of "bladder bundles" and collaboratives aids in the effective implementation of CAUTI prevention measures.

Infectious disease clinics of North America. 2016 Dec [Epub]

Carol E Chenoweth, Sanjay Saint

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: ., Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, Room 430 West, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800, USA; Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.