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The "Targeting Zero" culture at Delta County Memorial Hospital had another success in 2011. The hospital monitors performance in many initiatives aimed at reducing health care associated infections (HAI).
The results of a hospitalwide collaboration to prevent catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), demonstrated its effectiveness when infection control data indicated that only one CAUTI occurred in our hospitalized patients during 2011.
What is a catheter associated urinary tract infection?
An indwelling urinary catheter is a drainage tube that is inserted into the urinary bladder through the urethra, is left in place, and is connected to a closed collection system.
Twenty-five percent of hospital inpatients have an indwelling urinary catheter at some point during their hospitalization. Each day, these patients have an estimated 5 percent risk of developing a catheter-associated urinary tract infection, or CAUTI. This risk is multiplied each day the catheter remains in use. CAUTI is the most common type of hospital-acquired infection in U.S. hospitals equaling 40 percent of all HAI.
Antibiotic resistance among urinary pathogens is an increasing problem.
What problems are associated with CAUTI?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that over two million HAI occur in U.S. hospitals each year, and as many as 99,000 patients who get these infections die as a result. These infections also result in $4.5 billion in excess health care costs annually.
Delta County Memorial Hospital's efforts at the prevention of CAUTI meets aggressive new national and statewide program to lower risk, save lives and reduce cost.
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHCO) has approved a new National Patient Safety Goal for 2012 related to catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention in hospitals. The goal requires implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent CAUTI.
What steps were taken by Delta County Memorial Hospital to prevent CAUTI?
Evidence-based prevention strategies were implemented as follows:
1. Insert catheters only for appropriate indications.
2. Remove unnecessary catheters.
3. Perform hand hygiene in compliance with Centers for Disease Control
4. Provide education on proper insertion and maintenance.
5. Limit insertion of catheters to trained personnel.
6. Insert catheters using aseptic technique and sterile equipment.
7. Properly secure indwelling catheters after insertion to prevent movement.
8. Maintain closed drainage system.
9. Maintain unobstructed urine flow.
10. Routine hygiene as appropriate.
11. Remove catheter within 48 hours following surgical procedure or document reason for extended use.
12. Implement and promote alternatives to urinary catheterization.
"There will continue to be an ongoing effort to educate the clinical staff regarding the best practices of inserting and caring for urinary catheters," said Jeanine Finnell, RN, Delta County Memorial Hospital infection preventionist.
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