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Multidisciplinary prevention campaign reduces catheter use, CAUTIs
The implementation of a multidisciplinary infection prevention campaign appears to have reduced the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and the overall rate of catheter use, according to recently published data.
“Reducing [hospital-associated infections (HAIs)] through implementing evidence-based practices has become an increasing priority for both patient safety and financial reasons,” the researchers wrote in the American Journal of Infection Control. “Although studies show implementing best practices and educating health care workers (HCWs) can help prevent HAIs, [catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)] prevention continues to pose a challenge to health care quality.”
Researchers examined outcomes after the 2012 launch of a CAUTI prevention campaign at a tertiary care, teaching hospital. Practiced interventions included multidisciplinary education and training, implementation of defined indications for indwelling catheterization into electronic health records, electronic alerts, daily discussion, monitoring and review. CAUTI incidence and catheter use before intervention (January 2010 to December 2012) and after intervention (January 2013 to December 2014) were compared, and HCW perspectives were collected post-intervention via survey.
The rate of CAUTIs per 1,000 catheter days declined from 6.4 to 5.6 after intervention (P < .05), with a similar decrease also seen in catheter use (0.2 vs. 0.18; P < .05). Among 90 completed surveys, 22.2% of HCWs reported CAUTIs as a problem within the institution after intervention, as opposed to 43.3% before intervention. HCWs also reported more favorable responses concerning several areas of CAUTI prevention and perception after intervention.
“Our findings … are associated with both reduced CAUTIs and use of urinary catheters,” the researchers wrote. “Additionally, our findings reveal our campaign’s positive effect on HCWs’ perspective toward CAUTI prevention and view of CAUTI prevention as a priority in the health care system.” – by Dave Muoio
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.