title: Measuring the efficacy of antimicrobial catheters.
abstract: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a major cause of morbidity in hospitals worldwide. Urethral catheters coated with antimicrobial substances such as silver alloy and nitrofurazone were introduced to reduce CAUTI. A previous Cochrane review reported that antimicrobial-coated or impregnated catheters may reduce the number of asymptomatic bacteriuria present but it was uncertain whether they reduced CAUTI. The Catheter Trial compared these and standard catheters for short-term use in NHS hospitals. Results showed silver alloy-coated catheters did not reduce symptomatic CAUTI compared with standard catheters; nitrofurazone-impregnated catheters had borderline clinical benefit in reducing symptomatic CAUTI. The findings do not support the routine use of antimicrobial-coated or impregnated catheters for patients in hospital who need short-term catheters. Instead, health professionals should focus on simple preventive strategies and reducing the need for catheterisation.
authors.affiliation: Academic Urology Unit, University of Aberdeen.
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Makuta
authors.affiliation: Academic Urology Unit, University of Aberdeen.
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chrysafis
authors.affiliation: Academic Urology Unit, University of Aberdeen.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062885:Urinary Catheters / Q000382:microbiology*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents