CAUTI: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Why We Want to Prevent CAUTI

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are one of the most common hospital-acquired infections; virtually all (70 to 80 percent) of these infections are caused by instrumentation such as a catheter inserted into the urinary tract. Twelve to 16 percent of hospital inpatients will have a urinary catheter at some time during their hospital stay. CAUTIs result in increased morbidly, mortality and healthcare costs.

Success Within New Jersey Hospitals

Compared to baseline, New Jersey hospitals have reduced CAUTIs by 45 percent, avoided 94 potential CAUTIs and saved $94,413 in unnecessary healthcare costs.

This was accomplished in part through hospital participation in collaborative efforts:

• On the CUSP: STOP CAUTI
• Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Adults
• The Emergency Department CAUTI Intervention
• Safety Program for ICUs: CLABSI/CAUTI
• States Targeting Reduction in Infections via Engagement (STRIVE)

Our Goals Moving Ahead

By September 2018, each participating NJHIIN hospital will reduce CAUTIs by at least 20 percent or sustain a rate of zero.

Resources

• Catheter Out.org
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections, 2009
• Strategies to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Update
• CDC Targeted Assessment for Prevention CAUTI Toolkit Implementation Guide: Links to Example Resources

NJHIIN Webinars

• Preventing CAUTI - The Ann Arbor Criteria for Appropriate Urinary Catheter Use, December 15, 2015
• One Is Too Many: Going Beyond Guidelines to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections – September 26, 2016
• The Power of ZERO: HAI Kills – CAUTI – January 11, 2017
• Striving to Reduce Healthcare-associated Infections: CAUTI Prevention - August 8, 2018