Document Type

Article

Abstract

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) are a leading cause of healthcare acquired infections. Strong evidence for CAUTI best practices exists, however, the struggle to translate best practice evidence into everyday practice remains a challenge. Catheter associated urinary tract infection rates continue to be a problem despite organizational efforts to implement best practice guidelines; the challenge is to effectively translate and embed best practices into everyday practice. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will no longer reimburse hospitals for expenses associated with hospital acquired CAUTI; moreover, hospitals are subject to penalties for high rates of hospital acquired CAUTIs. A teaching hospital challenged to reduce CAUTI rates despite repeated efforts to embed best practices set out to investigate the problem and develop a program for sustained results. Targeting the facility’s faulty practices and removing barriers resulted in improved compliance and accountability with evidence based indwelling catheter maintenance strategies.

First Page

1

Last Page

19

Publication Date

2023

Comments

Corresponding Author: Jennifer Anderson RN, DNP, CNL-BC; 8165 Hooks Road, Bay Minette, Alabama 36507 janderson@southalabama.edu

There is no actual or potential conflict of interest including financial, personal, or other relationships with organizations and companies that could inappropriately influence this article. No funding was received for this work from any organization.

Share

COinS