title: [Prevalence of nosocomial urinary infection. Alternatives to bladder catheterization].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The detection of a high percentage of nosocomial urinary infection (NUI) associated with vesical catheterization (VC) and the frequent use of VC in patients with urinary incontinence, led us to implant a prevention programme which included the introduction of absorbent diapers as a alternative to vesical catheterization in incontinent patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  After actualization and introduction of VC preventive measures and the introduction of absorbent diapers, regular determinations were made of the prevalence of NUI with analysis of the variations using the chi 2 test for trends. The prevalence of urinary incontinence and the efficacy of the diapers were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of NUI associated with VC showed a significant decrease, from 27.5% to 3% (p = 0.004). Between 6% and 11% of the patients admitted to the medical service had urinary incontinence. After introduction of the diapers as part of health care assistance programme, the use of VC in patients with urinary incontinence is rare.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1) The prevention programme allowed a significant reduction in the prevalence of NUI associated with VC. 2) The use of absorbent diapers to care for patients with urinary incontinence probably contributed to reducing the prevalence of NUI. It was well accepted by the nursing staff and iatrogeny associated with their use was scarce.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Consorci Hospitalari del Parc Tauli, Sabadell, Barcelona.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Serrate
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canals
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fontanals
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torremorell
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogueras
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
vernacular_title: Prevalencia de infección urinaria nosocomial. Medidas alternativas al cateterismo vesical.