[Decrease of urinary tract infections following catheterization after the education of health care workers,...

Urinary tract infections (UTI) following catheterization are the most common hospital-acquired infections, with their frequency amounting to 30-40% of all hospital infections. Major percentage of this kind of infectious episodes can be prevented via active and continual education of health care workers (HCW), implementation of transparent protocols concerning installation and attendance of urinary catheters and regular control of catheterized patients through surveillance lists. This research shows the importance of a fore-mentioned activities, demonstrating a significant decrease of UTI following catheterization at the Department of Urology in Slavonski Brod General Hospital during two periods. After the aforementioned procedures were conducted, a statistically significant discrepancy in the decrease of the UTI incidence following catheterization was identified, from 20.4% to 11.7%, i.e. chi2 = 17.5; p < 0.01, and accordingly, significant decrease of the number of hospital bed-days, i.e. chi2 = 16.62; p < 0.0, while total consumption of antibiotics at the Department was not reduced, despite the decrease in the number of UTI. The most common uropathogens, with no significant difference in both periods, were E. coli (29.7%), Enterococcus spp (20%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.8%). Strict implementation and close surveillance of the recommended preventive measures are an important factor in reducing the number of hospital infections.