December 2012 Volume 1, Issue 11
UMMC Nursing Newsletter STOP Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) UMMC has alarming CAUTI Rates! FY 13 CAUTI Rates ο During fiscal year 2012, UMMC had 573 CAUTIs. Nov YTD ο 388 of the 573 occurred in intensive care units. 30 169 ICUs ο For this year, our overall CAUTI rates are reported to 1 34 IMCs be 3-4 times higher than the national average for hospitals similar to ours. 4 14 Floors Totals 35 217 Proper Catheter Maintenance is key to stopping CAUTI ο Perform meatal care with soap & water. ο Maintain a sterile, closed drainage system. ο If breaks in aseptic technique occur during insertion, or if disconnects or leakage occur later, replace the catheter and collecting system using aseptic technique. ο Use urinary catheter systems with pre-connected, sealed tubing connections whenever possible. ο If you are breaking the seal to add a urimeter bag—ask yourself: “is this required for patient care?” - if not essential—don’t add it - it opens the system to risk of infection! ο Maintain unobstructed urine flow– checks for kinks.
Keep the Pee Below the Knee! ο Empty the collecting bag regularly using a separate, clean collection container for each patient. ο Do not routinely place your adult patient in diapers—it is better to allow air flow when possible. A closed diaper creates a breeding ground for infection and contributes to skin breakdown. ο The use of absorbent underpads (and barrier creams as needed) are preferred for the management of incontinence. ο Adult diapers should be reserved for patients who are out of bed in a chair or ambulating. ο DO NOT clean the periurethral area with antiseptics to prevent CAUTI. It is not necessary! Routine hygiene is sufficient. Remove catheters ASAP! ο The best way to prevent a CAUTI is to remove the catheter as soon as possible! ο Make sure your patient has an order for the catheter removal protocol so that you can act immediately when catheter can be removed. ο Do not automatically change indwelling catheters or urinary drainage systems. ο Use condom style catheters for male patients as appropriate. ο Use portable ultrasound bladder scanners to detect residual urine amounts, and avoid the need to catheterize of possible. ο Obtain fresh urine specimen for urinalysis and urine culture. Do not obtain specimen from catheter drainage bag! Occlude the tubing and draw sample from sample port. 1