While it’s common to insert indwelling urinary catheters for critical care patients, prolonged use can lead to catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), urosepsis, increased hospital stays and other complications. Although critical illness can be a legitimate indication for urinary catheter use, daily assessment of urinary catheters is recommended. Some evidence indicates that reminder systems or stop orders in critical care settings can reduce the incidence of CAUTI and catheter duration. For more information:
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Adults. [Internet]. 2015 [cited March 2019].
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. APIC implementation guide: guide to preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections [Internet]. 2014 Apr [cited 2016 Oct 14].
Canadian Patient Safety Institute. Hospital Harm Improvement Resource: Urinary Tract Infection [Internet]. 2016 Apr.
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