Applying preventive measures leading to significant reduction of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in adult intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of applying the best available clinical evidence on the preventive measures to reduce the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in adult intensive care units (ICU). METHODS: Data were collected from adult ICUs (28 beds) from 2008 to 2016. The proper use of silicon catheter, aseptic insertion technique, emptying bag three-fourth via close circuit, the use of appropriate size catheter, securing the draining tube on the thigh to keep catheter bag below patient’s bladder level and removal of the catheter as early as possible were ensured in all patients. RESULTS: Rate of UTI and urinary catheter utilization ratios were reviewed during the study period. There was a mean of 6,175 catheter days/year for ICU. Despite the overall rise in the urinary catheterization ratio over these years; we observed a significant reduction in the UTI rate per 1000 Urinary catheter days; from 2.3 in 2010 to 0.3 in 2011 and it was sustained through 2016. CONCLUSION: The monthly rates of CAUTI significantly declined after the enforcement of agreed strategies and interventions to prevent CAUTI rates in adult ICU.