Driving down catheter associated infection rates

Caring for patients with an indwelling urinary catheter is common in nursing practice. While catheters are essential for some patients, evidence suggests that in many cases catheterisation may be unjustified. This exposes patients to significant and unnecessary risks of acquiring urinary tract infections, extending their length of stay and imposing an extra burden of care and cost on healthcare providers. Improving care for patients with catheters depends on good education, robust research and audit pathways, evidenced best practice, adequate resources, and effective devices and treatment. This article discusses national and local initiatives that have been developed to enable health professionals to drive down catheter-associated urinary tract infections rates.