Reducing Catheter Acquired Urinary Tract Infections

Project leader:

Liz Bonner

Location

Bedfordshire PCT / Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Summary of initiative:

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common hospital acquired infection (SIGN, 2006) and 80% are associated with indwelling urinary catheters (Winning Ways, 2003).

This project aims to reduce catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) by introducing a catheterisation assessment and management pathway on two medical wards and two elderly care wards. This will involve a retrospective audit of catheterisation practice and infection rates, observation of care and focus groups with ward staff to identify barriers. A training programme will be developed to support the implementation of catheterisation assessment and management pathway and to address issues identified from the data collection process. Ongoing support will be provided to ward staff to help with problem solving related to using the assessment and management pathway in practice.

References:

Department of Health (2003) Winning Ways: Working Together to Reduce Healthcare-Associted Infection in Primary and Community Care. Department of Health: London.

SIGN (2006) Management of suspected urinary tract infections in adults. A national clinical guideline. No. 88. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network: Edinburgh.

For further information about this project please contact: Liz.Bonner@bedfordshirepct.nhs.uk

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