The Effect of Implementing a Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program on Urinary Catheter Use

The goal of this performance improvement study was to evaluate the effect of a targeted intervention to decrease catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and urinary catheter utilization by implementing quality improvement initiatives. Monthly patient data were abstracted including total CAUTI, urinary catheter utilization, urinary catheter days, CAUTI rate, and limited demographics for those with CAUTI, including age, sex, and diagnoses pre- and post-intervention. The effect of CUSP on catheter utilization and CAUTI was determined using independent samples, t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. Implementing CUSP resulted in decreased catheter utilization from 89% to 75% (p = 0.001) and clinical reduction rate of CAUTI rate by 19% (from 7.9 to 7.2). Inappropriate urinary catheters can be avoided by daily assessment of catheter need and catheter removal. It is also important to establish catheter care guidelines and assure this care is being properly carried out. These management strategies ban decrease catheter utilization and preventable complications, such as CAUTI.