Internet survey of Foley catheter practices and knowledge among Minnesota nurses

Although nurses insert and care for many Foley catheters, little is known about nurses' attitudes and knowledge regarding indications for catheter use or methods to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).

An Internet-based survey was sent to a random sample of registered nurses (RNs) in Minnesota. The survey contained demographic questions and 5-point Likert-scale questions regarding indications for Foley catheter placement and effectiveness of various interventions for preventing CAUTI.

Nurses perceived early catheter removal as the most effective intervention to prevent CAUTI (mean score, 4.5; range 1-5). Compared with other RNs, those reporting additional catheter education were more likely to rate interventions to prevent CAUTI as effective, regardless of whether the interventions actually reduce the incidence of symptomatic CAUTI or asymptomatic bacteriuria/funguria. Intensive care unit RNs were significantly more likely than other RNs to endorse that a Foley catheter was indicated for any given clinical scenario and to endorse antimicrobial-coated catheters as effective in preventing CAUTI. Most respondents reported no institutional guidance regarding catheterization.

Although the surveyed Minnesota RNs demonstrated high-level awareness of the utility of early Foley catheter removal for preventing CAUTI, other aspects of their catheter-related knowledge were concerning. Improving these deficits may help improve catheter-related practice.