Key Points
➤ Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common healthcare-
associated infections.
• In 2003, 70%–80% of UTIs were attributable to the presence of an indwelling urethral
catheter.
• In a 2019 analysis, over 5 years, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
decreased in proportion to non–device-associated UTIs but still made up an average
of 44% of these infections per year among the hospitalized patients included in the
study.
➤ Urinary catheters remain one of the most common medical devices
experienced by adults in emergency departments and hospitals
worldwide.
➤ The high frequency of catheter use in hospitalized patients means that the
cumulative burden of CAUTI is substantial.
➤ This pocket guide highlights practical recommendations to assist acute
care hospitals in implementing and prioritizing catheter-associated
urinary tract infections (CAUTI) prevention efforts.
➤ It is based on a synthesis of evidence, theoretical rationale, current
practices, practical considerations, author consensus, and consideration
of potential harm, where applicable.
➤ No guideline or expert guidance document can anticipate all clinical
situations. This pocket guide is not meant to be a substitute for individual
clinical judgment by qualified professionals.
