CAUTI

Definition

The definition of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), according to the CDC is a UTI where an indwelling urinary catheter was in place for more than two calendar days on the date of the event (day 1 being the day of device placement).

Burden of disease

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), accounting for one-third (27%) of HAIs in developed countries, according to the ECDCs annual report from 2008. The attributable mortality of CAUTI is low, but the high frequency of catheter use in healthcare settings resulting in CAUTI means that the burden of CAUTI is substantial about prolonged hospital stays and increased antibiotic use. According to European studies, 15-25% of hospitalised patients and 5% of patients in elderly homes have a urinary catheter. More studies estimate that 41-58% of catheters in place are unnecessary. The risk for CAUTI increases by 5% for each day with a catheter. The annual costs for CAUTI account for £ 99 million annually (£ 1968 per episode) in the United Kingdom. A strong leadership and a systematic approach to engaging all healthcare staff are crucial to achieving maximum effect.

How to prevent-specific requirements

In addition to standard measures for preventing health-care-associated infections (HAIs) described elsewhere, up to 70% of CAUTIs can be prevented by following evidence-based guidelines focusing on catheter use [1]. A bundling strategy using selected evidence-based activities undertaken simultaneously can significantly reduce the incidence of CAUTI as well as the use of urinary tract catheter days. Such bundled actions should focus on five clearly defined activities [2-4]:

• Avoid unnecessary urinary tract catheterisation by providing access to an evidence-based list of indications;
• Selection of catheter material and size;
• Aseptic insertion techniques;
• Aseptic maintenance routines;
• Assess the need for maintaining the urinary catheter daily during rounds and promptly remove unnecessary urinary catheters.

Avoid unnecessary urinary catheterisation

Minimize urinary catheter use and consider alternatives, for example, suprapubic catheters, intermittent catheterisation, external condom catheters for males and diapers. Avoid bladder distension. Use a portable bedside ultrasound device to assess urine volume. Make the indication for the urinary catheters clear among doctors and nurses. Urinary catheterisation is indicated in the following cases:

1. Acute urinary retention with or without obstruction;
2. Critically ill patients in need of precise measurement of urinary output;
3. During urological surgery;
4. Preoperatively, for example, in long operations, urologic surgery, large infusions during surgery;
5. Prolonged immobilization, for example, in cases with pelvic fractures and unstable thorax;
6. Improve comfort at the end of life care;
7. Painful pressure ulcers and other wounds in the genital area.

Clearly document the clinical indication for the urinary catheter, the time and date of insertion, the expected duration, the type of catheter and the drainage system. Also, note the planned date of catheter removal and the reasons for keeping the catheter.

Selection of catheter material and size

Use as small a catheter as possible, ensuring proper drainage to minimize trauma and risk of infection.

Aseptic insertion techniques

• Insert catheters following aseptic techniques using sterile equipment;
• Perform hand hygiene before and after insertion or any manipulation of the catheter device or site;
• Gloves, drape and sponges should be sterile;
• Use a single-use packet of sterile lubricant jelly for insertion to minimise urethral trauma and discomfort;
• Urethral meatus cleaned with soap and water or sterile saline (0,9% NaCl).

Aseptic maintenance routines

• Perform hand hygiene before and after any manipulation of the catheter device or the collecting bag;
• Maintain a sterile, continuously closed drainage system with a sampling port;
• Keep catheter properly secured to prevent movement and urethral traction;
• Keep the collection bag below the level of the bladder at all times to prevent reflux;
• Maintain unobstructed urine flow and keep the catheter and collecting tube free from kinking;
• Empty collection bag when filled ¾ to prevent reflux, using a clean collecting container for each patient, using appropriate hand hygiene, non-sterile gloves and gown. Avoid splashing and use goggles and a protective mask if necessary;
• Avoid contact of the draining spigot with the collecting container;
• Routine daily personal hygiene is all that is required for meatal and perineal cleansing;
• Collect urinary samples for cultures by aspirating urine from the needle-less sample port with a sterile syringe after disinfecting the port. Obtain larger volumes for special analyses aseptically from the tap of the drainage bag;
• Only change bag and catheter based on clinical indications such as infection, leakage, obstruction and when the collecting system is damaged;

If bladder irrigation is necessary due to anticipated obstruction, use closed continuous irrigation systems.

Daily review of urinary-catheter

• Revise the need for catheter at daily rounds;
• Apply effective reminder systems to remove the catheter, for example, alerts and reminders for doctors or automatic stop orders 48-72 hours after insertion;
• If the catheter is judged to stay, clearly document why it is still in place and when is should be removed.

References

• Umscheid CA, Mitchell MD, Doshi JA, Agarwal R, Williams K, Brennan PJ. Estimating the proportion of healthcare-associated infections that are reasonably preventable and the related mortality and costs. Infection control and hospital epidemiology. 2011;32(2):101-14.
• Institute for healthcare improvement IHI. How to guide: Prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Available from: www.ihi.org. 2011 [accessed 5th April 2016]
• Loveday HP, Wilson JA, Pratt RJ, Golsorkhi M, Tingle A, Bak A, et al. epic3: national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England. The Journal of hospital infection. 2014;86 Suppl 1:S1-70.
• Lo E, Nicolle LE, Coffin SE, Gould C, Maragakis LL, Meddings J, et al. Strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 update. Infection control and hospital epidemiology. 2014;35(5):464-79.

FEM Contributors

• Originally contributed by Birgitta Lytsy (Department of clinical microbiology and infection control, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden)

Other contributors:

• Diamantis Plachouras
• Vladimir Prikazsky
• Elisa Fabbro