title: Preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the intensive care unit.
abstract: Urinary tract infection remains one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in the intensive care unit and predominantly occurs in patients with indwelling urinary catheters. Duration of catheterization is the most important risk factor for developing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). General strategies for preventing CAUTI include measures such as adherence to hand hygiene. Targeted strategies for preventing CAUTI include limiting the use and duration of urinary catheters, using aseptic technique for catheter insertion, and adhering to proper catheter care. Anti-infective catheters may be considered in some settings. Successful implementation of these measures has decreased urinary catheter use and CAUTI.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Internal Medicine and Infection Control and Epidemiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5378, USA. cchenow@umich.edu
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chenoweth
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saint
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*