Preventing Catheter-Associated

Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) 

CAUTIs are the most common healthcare-associated infection (HAI) reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).¹ Many of these infections are preventable when clinicians adhere to fundamental infection control principles, such as:

• Inserting catheters only when appropriate indications are present.
• Using proper techniques for insertion.
• Limiting the duration of the catheter.
• Using proper techniques for maintenance.
• Removing catheters as soon as possible postoperatively if a catheter is used at all.²

The CDC further recommends daily review of continued need for indwelling urinary catheters and adherence to hand hygiene protocols.³

The guidance in The Flash section below explores device utilization at the facility and unit level, explains how NHSN data can be used to target units with higher incidence of infection, and shares tools that assess factors that contribute to increases in CAUTI events.

HSAG HQIC certified infection preventionists are available to assist if you have any questions or need additional support. You can contact them through your Quality Advisor or email HospitalQuality@hsag.com. 

Data show that the CAUTI rate, Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR), and Standardized Utilization Ratio (SUR) have improved since the baseline period of 2019 (lower rates are better).

Visit the HSAG HQIC Quality Improvement and Innovation Portal (QIIP) to view your falls data by selecting the “Measure Category” of HAI—Device Associated and “Measure” of CAUTI Rate, CAUTI SIR, and CAUTI SUR.

*Rates are per 1,000 urinary catheter days.

Source: NHSN. For additional details on measure specifications, please reference the HSAG HQIC Compendium of Measures. The baseline time period is 01/01/2019–12/31/2019 and current time period is 05/01/2023–04/30/2024.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Toolkit for Preventing CLABSI and CAUTI in the ICU

This toolkit helps facilities assess, implement, and overcome safety challenges in preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and CAUTI.

September Is Sepsis Awareness Month

Since 2011, September has been designated as Sepsis Awareness Month. Organizations across the world help save lives by raising awareness of this life-threatening response to infection affecting 1.7 million people and leading to 350,000 U.S. deaths annually.⁴

Start planning now. Download the Sepsis Awareness Month Toolkit to learn more about promoting sepsis awareness.

Find on-demand quickinar recordings, slides, and podcasts from past HSAG HQIC learning series.

Care Coordination Quickinar Series

Quality and Safety Quickinar Series

References

1. CDC. CAUTIs. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/ca_uti/uti.html

2. CDC. Guideline for Prevention of CAUTIs. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/cauti/index.html

3. CDC. Summary of Recommendations for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/cauti/summary-of-recommendations.html#cdc_generic_section_5-iv-quality-improvement-programs

4. Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis Awareness Month. https://www.sepsis.org/get-involved/sepsis-awareness-month/

This material was prepared by Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), a Hospital Quality Improvement Contractor (HQIC) under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication No XS-HQIC-XT-06262024-01