RESOURCES FOR MANAGING HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED CONDITIONS

Good to Know

Important fact(s) about the condition being discussed in this issue . . .

According to the CDC, the urinary tract is the most common site of nosocomial infection, accounting for more than 40% of the total number of HAIs reported by acute-care hospitals and affecting an estimated 600,000 patients per year.

Although not all CAUTIs can be prevented, it is believed that a large number could be avoided by the proper management of the indwelling catheter.

The duration of catheterization is the most important risk factor for development of infection. Limiting catheter use and, when a catheter is indicated, minimizing the duration the catheter remains in situ are primary strategies for CAUTI prevention.