title: Can silver alloy catheters reduce infection rates?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catheter associated urinary tract infections remain a persistent challenge in healthcare practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish whether silver alloy urinary catheters reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections compared with standard silicone or latex urinary catheters in short-term hospitalised adult patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of eight studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills for Practitioners tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A consistent pattern emerged that supported the effectiveness of silver alloy urinary catheters over uncoated catheters to reduce infections in adult patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changing practice to use silver alloy catheters would have a significant impact on patient care.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Stirling.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beattie
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D018030:Silver Compounds; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D018030:Silver Compounds