Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)

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The purpose of this paper is to describe CAUTIs, the methodologies used to find the guideline, and to explain how the guideline helps to prevent CAUTIs. CAUTIs are a pain for hospitals, health care providers, and the patient. These infections should never occur in a hospital setting,
Phenomenon of Interest
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) is one of the most common health-care associated infections, with an estimated 1.7 million infections reported yearly, accounting for a total of 36% of all hospital associated infections (HAIs) in the U.S (citation). CAUTIs are the result of microorganisms entering the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections may be characterized by cloudy, foul smelling, or blood tinged urine (Ignatavicius …show more content…

Other symptoms for elderly people may include mental confusion that could further result in falls.
CAUTIs are sentinel events. The occurrence of a CAUTI may result in an extended hospital stay for the patient, high incidences of morbidity and mortality, and adds an average additional cost of $3,803 per occurrence. CAUTI could lead to further health complications such as reduced control of fluids, buildup of nitrogenous wastes, increased blood pressure, and even sepsis and metastatic osteomyelitis.
Following the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the Medicare and Medicaid programs, two of the largest health insurance programs in the nation, deemed CAUTIs as a “never event.” On October 1, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ceased reimbursements for the treatment of CAUTIs that were not present upon admission of the patient. The CDC reports that the occurrence of CAUTIs added an extra charge of $589 per incident in 2008, costing the U.S. health care system an additional $400 million per …show more content…

APIC also recommends to secure catheters following insertion to prevent traction on the urethra and to minimize urethral injury. It is also essential maintain unobstructed flow, ensuring the tubing is free of kinks and dependent loops. It is of utmost importance to discontinue indwelling catheters when they are no longer needed and to consider other alternatives such as condom catheters for men or periodic

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