Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections – The Most Prominent HAI

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are the most common Health Care Associated Infections in the United States. Curiously, over 75% of all Urinary Tract Infections are attributable with a urinary catheter. Of the likely issues linked to Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections, the most significant risk factor concerning CAUTI is long term utilization of the catheter device.

 

 

It is estimated that 15-25% of all the individuals in the US’ Healthcare system will be given some kind of Urinary catheter for a specific time frame. The populations that are often given a Urinary Catheter are normally at risk of developing further complications – reducing the amount of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections is a top priority for health care providers across the nation.

 

 

To help drive a reduction effort, the Joint Commission officially recognized the reduction of CAUTIs as a top patient safety goal for organizations across the United States. Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections bring about lengthy hospital stays, unneeded patient safety risks, and elevated costs to the health care provider.

 

 

In other words, it’s unacceptable to just accept that urinary tract infections may develop throughout the span of a patient’s treatment. As medical specialists who are determined to improving quality, the reduction of UTIs and the reduction of CAUTIs has to be a key focus on the quest to enhancing patient safety within our organizations.

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