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Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary catheter is a tube made of rubber or silicone that's inserted into the urethra and threaded up into the bladder to drain urine. A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) can develop if bacteria enter the sterile bladder via the catheter.

  1. Causes

    • Bacteria may be introduced into the bladder when the catheter is inserted. They can also grow on or inside the catheter and travel up into the bladder to cause a CAUTI.

    Effects

    • CAUTIs typically cause bloody or foul-smelling urine, frequent and/or painful urination, fever, weakness, and confusion. If untreated, they can cause kidney or bloodstream infections.

    Considerations

    • The longer the catheter is in your body, the greater your risk of developing a CAUTI. Women, especially those who are pregnant, are at higher risk. Diabetes, malnutrition, and chronic diseases make people more vulnerable to CAUTIs.

    Significance

    • The Institute for Healthcare Improvement states that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made CAUTIs one of the top ten hospital-acquired infections to address because of their high volume and high cost.

    Tips

    • IHI also states that a good number of CAUTIs can be prevented when healthcare professionals follow evidence-based prevention guidelines. For example, urinary catheters that are coated with a colloidal silver alloy lower the risk of CAUTIs by 30 to 55 percent.

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