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. 2024 Oct 22;16(10):e72105.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.72105. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Prevention and Control of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI): A Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Project

Rhez Plando  1 , Lina Obaid  1 , Ahmad S Al Baker  1 , Omar Khan  2 , Mariano Solatorio  1 , Bryan J De Leon  1 , Vincent M Tabasin  1 , Ruby A Obsioma  1
Affiliations

Prevention and Control of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI): A Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Project

Rhez Plando et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: This patient safety and quality improvement report outlines the successful reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) through a comprehensive interdisciplinary team approach. It emphasizes the implementation of best practices and the involvement of both patients and their families in catheter care. The project was conducted at Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, the largest rehabilitation facility in the Middle East, with 511 beds and over 20 inpatient units.

Aim: The primary objective of this project was to assess gaps in current CAUTI prevention practices and implement effective strategies to reduce infection rates. By adopting quality improvement methodologies from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the Deming Four-Stage Cycle, the aim was to prevent CAUTIs and improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Method: Urinary catheters, commonly used for patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction and sacral deep pressure injuries, posed a high risk of infection, with a daily infection risk of 3-7%. Despite available preventive measures, the facility experienced a high average CAUTI rate of 1.28/1000 catheter days from 2021 to mid-2023. This project involved the systematic identification of gaps, the adoption of evidence-based practices, and the engagement of healthcare staff, patients, and families in rigorous CAUTI prevention efforts.

Result: The project resulted in a significant reduction in the CAUTI rate, decreasing from 1.28 infections per 1000 catheter days pre-intervention to 0.42 infections per 1000 catheter days post-intervention. This improvement highlights the effectiveness of collaborative efforts and evidence-based interventions in controlling and preventing CAUTIs.

Conclusion: The findings of this project demonstrate that CAUTI prevention is achievable through a coordinated approach involving healthcare providers, strong evidence-based interventions, and the active participation of patients and families. This collaborative model led to better patient safety outcomes and significantly reduced CAUTI rates, showing the importance of comprehensive care strategies in mitigating preventable patient harm.

Keywords: care bundles; catheter-associated urinary infection (cauti); hospital acquired infection; houdini; patient safety; urinary tract infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Posters of “No Catheter No CAUTI” campaign
CAUTI: catheter-associated urinary tract infection
Figure 2
Figure 2. Closed drainage indwelling catheter system
Figure 3
Figure 3. The hospital-acquired catheter-associated UTIs per 1000 catheter days process behavioral charts
UTIs: urinary tract infections
Figure 4
Figure 4. HOUDINI tool through the use of health information system
Reference: [4]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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