Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections Prevention: Physician Be Aware

BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is an avoidable iatrogenic infection. The aim of this single-center, cross-sectional study is to determine awareness of the presence of urinary catheters to prevent CAUTI. METHODS: Providers (Interns, residents, service and private attendings) were randomly asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the presence of urinary catheters in a total of 109 patients under their care over a two-month period on inpatient general medicine floor (GMF) and intensive care unit (ICU). The awareness of catheterization among the different groups was calculated. RESULTS: (see table) 93 GMF and 16 ICU patients were evaluated by a total of 30 providers. 96.7% of interns/residents were correctly aware of catheters, as were 97.9% of service hospitalists. Only 63.6 % of private attendings were correct about the urinary catheters. Overall hospital service teams demonstrated good knowledge of catheterized patients. CONCLUSION: Physician awareness is the first step in the prevention of CAUTI. We postulate that our hospital teams may be more cognizant of catheter presence because of frequent inter-disciplinary team interactions. Further study is needed to asses for continued interventions and education for frequent voiding trials, interdisciplinary rounds and daily assessment of catheter necessity/timely removal, which are integral parts of the CAUTI prevention bundle. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.