Over 40% of all nosocomial infections are caused by Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections

TREATMENT:

$       Antibiotic therapy, IV or PO, depending on severity of infection

$       Nursing and pharmacy time to prepare, administer, and evaluate effectiveness

$       Additional lab studies;  UA and UC, peaks and troughs with some antibiotics

$       Treatment of pain

$       Recovery may be further complicated by age

$       Could lead to sepsis

$       Common adverse effects of UTI’s are frequency and urgency which may lead to further injury such as falls

$       Any increase in patient treatment requires increased assess by physicians and nurse which includes additional documentation of the assessment

$       Increased hospital stay or outpatient treatment and follow-up

SOLUTION:

Try a MUDS as your solution to CAUTI in continent males who have difficulty using a urinal.

[i] 1.  Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections Feb. 1981. http//www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_catheter_assoc.html