Prevention
ÎÎAppropriate management of indwelling catheters
>> Properly secure indwelling catheters after insertion to prevent movement and urethral
traction (A-III).
>> Maintain a sterile, continuously closed drainage system (A-I).
>> Do not disconnect the catheter and drainage tube unless the catheter must be
irrigated (A-I).
>> Replace the collecting system by use of aseptic technique and after disinfecting the
catheter-tubing junction when breaks in aseptic technique, disconnection, or leakage
occur (B-III).
>> For examination of fresh urine, collect a small sample by aspirating urine from
the sampling port with a sterile needle and syringe after cleansing the port with
disinfectant (A-III).
>> Obtain larger volumes of urine for special analyses aseptically from the drainage
bag (A-III).
>> Maintain unobstructed urine flow (A-II).
>> Empty the collecting bag regularly, using a separate collecting container for each
patient, and avoid allowing the draining spigot to touch the collecting container
(A-II).
>> Keep the collecting bag below the level of the bladder at all times (A-III).
>> Cleaning the meatal area with antiseptic solutions is unnecessary; routine hygiene is
appropriate (A-I).
Special approaches for the prevention of CAUTI**
ÎÎPerform a CAUTI risk assessment.
ÎÎImplement an organization-wide program to identify and remove
catheters that are no longer necessary, using one or more methods
documented to be effective (A-II).
ÎÎDevelop a protocol for management of postoperative urinary retention,
including nurse-directed use of intermittent catheterization and use of
bladder scanners (B-I).
ÎÎEstablish a system for analyzing and reporting data on catheter use and
adverse events from catheter use (B-III).
Approaches that should NOT be considered a routine part of
CAUTI prevention
ÎDo NOT screen for asymptomatic bacteriuria in catheterized patients (A-II).
Î
ÎÎDo NOT treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in catheterized patients except
before invasive urologic procedures (A-I).
ÎÎAVOID catheter irrigation (A-I).
ÎÎDo NOT use systemic antimicrobials routinely as prophylaxis (A-II).
ÎÎDo NOT change catheters routinely (A-III).