A Study of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in a Tertiary Care Center

"Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)" represent a significant proportion of healthcare-associated infections, contributing to increased morbidity, hospital stay, and mortality. This research aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors, microbiological profile, and outcomes associated with CAUTI in a tertiary care center.

A prospective observational research was conducted over 24 months, enrolling 239 patients catheterized for more than 48 hours. Patients were monitored for clinical signs of CAUTI, and urine cultures were obtained for microbiological analysis.

The incidence of CAUTI was 31.79%, with a rate of 12 per 1000 catheter days. Advanced age, prolonged catheterization (>7 days), diabetes mellitus, and emergency catheterization were significant risk factors. "Escherichia coli (E. coli)" was the most commonly isolated organism, followed by "Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneu)" and "Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeru)". CAUTI cases exhibited longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates compared to non-CAUTI patients (P = 0.042).

Prolonged catheterization, diabetes, and emergency catheter placement are major contributors to CAUTI. Timely catheter removal, strict aseptic techniques, and effective infection control measures are crucial to minimize the burden of CAUTI in hospital settings.