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Published on: June 24, 2025
Audit of catheter-associated UTI using silver alloy-coated Foley catheters
1Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, Royal Gwent Hospital, Cardiff Road, Newport.
Insights
Silver alloy-coated Foley catheters effectively reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in hospitals. This study demonstrates their cost-effectiveness and recommends their use for short-term catheterization in acute care settings.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Infection control
- Medical device technology
Background:
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a prevalent and costly healthcare-associated infection.
- Silver alloy-coated Foley catheters have shown promise in reducing CAUTI rates.
- Effective strategies are needed to mitigate the risks associated with urinary catheterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of silver alloy-coated Foley catheters in reducing CAUTI rates in an acute general hospital.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of using silver alloy-coated Foley catheters.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for catheter selection in acute care.
Main Methods:
- A pre- and post-intervention audit design was employed.
- CAUTI rates were monitored using standard catheters and subsequently with silver alloy-coated Foley catheters over two 10-week periods.
- A total of 117 newly catheterized patients were assessed for CAUTI signs and symptoms.
Main Results:
- The audit exceeded its aim, achieving a CAUTI rate reduction of over 20%.
- Both the CAUTI risk rate and the device-related infection rate decreased during the evaluation period.
- The use of silver alloy-coated Foley catheters was found to be cost-effective, considering the expenses linked to CAUTI and extended hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Silver alloy-coated Foley catheters are effective in reducing CAUTI rates in acute general hospitals.
- The implementation of these catheters is a cost-effective strategy for infection control.
- It is recommended that silver alloy-coated Foley catheters be the preferred choice for short-term catheterization in acute patient admissions.
Abstract:
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most common and most costly healthcare-associated infection, and possibly the most preventable (Salgado et al, 2003). The Cochrane Review of silver alloy-coated Foley catheters concluded that they are successful at reducing the rate of this healthcare-associated infection, which can be potentially fatal (Brosnahan et al, 2004). This article discusses the merits of using the silver alloy-coated Foley catheter in reducing the risk of CAUTI in an acute general hospital. A pre- and post-intervention design was used to audit CAUTI rates. During the pre-intervention period of 10 weeks, the Trust's standard catheters were used and CAUTI rates captured. Silver alloy-coated Foley catheters were introduced and their use monitored for a further period of 10 weeks. A total of 117 newly catheterized patients were actively monitored for signs and symptoms of CAUTI. The audit met and exceeded its aim of reducing the CAUTI rate by 20&. The CAUTI risk rate and device rate fell during the evaluation period. The use of the silver alloy-coated Foley catheters proved to be cost-effective given the recognized additional costs of CAUTI and prolonged in-patient stay (Plowman et al, 1999). Given the results of this audit it is recommended that the silver alloy-coated Foley catheter be the catheter of choice for use with acute patient admissions requiring short-term catheterization.
