Catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
OBJECTIVE
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the commonest nosocomial infection worldwide. Here we review the recent advances in the prevention of CAUTI.


RESULTS
After more than 30 years, new guidelines were issued in 2008-2011 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and European Association of Urology. These guidelines addressed novel technologies such as silver alloy or antimicrobial coatings on catheters, hydrophilic catheters, urethral stents, use of sealed catheter-tube junctions and antiinfective bladder irrigation. In addition, multiple trials have been published recently on the reduction of inappropriate urinary tract catheterization.


CONCLUSIONS
Numerous strategies have been developed to reduce the incidence of CAUTI but few have proven effective. Reducing the inappropriate use of catheters and development of novel technologies targeted against these increasingly multidrug-resistant pathogens may be useful in the prevention of CAUTI in our vulnerable patients.
Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Healthcare System, Singapore, Singapore. paul_anantharajah_tambyah@nuhs.edu.sg
Paul A
PA
Tambyah
Jolene
J
Oon
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents