title: Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection in the critical care unit.
abstract: Changes in reimbursement policies have focused attention on the use of indwelling catheters in the critical care unit as well as their role in hospital-acquired urinary tract infections. Implementation of an evidence-based prevention program can significantly reduce both the prevalence of indwelling catheterization and the incidence of hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infection. This article describes the epidemiology and pathophysiology of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and outlines essential elements of an evidence-based prevention program for the critical care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and School of Nursing, University of Virginia, UVA 2nd Floor, Room 2570, PO Box 800422, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. mg5k@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control