Addressing CAUTIs with an External Female Catheter

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) present significant challenges, including prolonged hospital stays, patient discomfort, increased healthcare costs, and mortality.
• In 2016-17, 24% of CAUTI cases at an academic medical center involved bedbound female patients using indwelling catheters for incontinence.
• A critical gap existed in effective urinary catheter alternatives for female patients, unlike the availability of condom catheters for males.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and evaluate effective external urinary catheter alternatives for bedbound female patients.
• To reduce the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in this vulnerable patient population.

Main Methods:

• A literature search and review of internal CAUTI data were conducted by clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).
• Two distinct external female urinary catheters were identified and piloted to assess efficacy and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Data on patient use, cost avoidance, and CAUTI rates were collected and analyzed post-implementation.

Main Results:

• External female catheters were utilized by 1,195 unique patients in 2019-20, primarily to avoid indwelling catheter use (approx. 90%).
• Significant cost avoidance of $16,473,912 was achieved, with an estimated $13,786 saved per patient.
• A notable decrease in CAUTI rates among bedbound female patients was observed following the implementation of external female catheters.

Conclusions:

• External female urinary catheters are a viable and effective alternative to indwelling catheters for bedbound female patients.
• The successful implementation can guide other healthcare facilities in reducing indwelling catheter use and associated CAUTI rates.
• This initiative highlights a scalable solution for improving patient outcomes and managing healthcare costs related to CAUTIs.