Streamlining to Zero: Operational Excellence for CAUTI Prevention

A 341 bed Magnet® designated hospital with a 20-bed Silver AACN Beacon awarded medical surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) began to see a rise in their catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in the last two quarters of 2021. Through a quality improvement project, the unit utilized operational excellence to redefine the roles and responsibilities of team members, a defined process for patients with Foley catheters, new visual management cues, and a checking phase to ensure the new process was working. After implementing the new process, the unit has reduced and remained at zero CAUTIs for over 3 years.