title: Implementation of a nurse-driven protocol to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
abstract: This article describes a quality improvement project to decrease catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) at an academic medical center. A criteria-based, nurse-driven protocol for discontinuation of indwelling catheters and use of bladder ultrasonography in conjunction with intermittent catheterizations was the foundation for change. The CAUTI rate, the number of CAUTIs, cost of medications and supplies associated with treating CAUTIs, catheter duration, and intensive care unit length of stay decreased after protocol implementation.
authors.affiliation: Nursing and Patient Services, University of Florida (UF) Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville (Dr Alexaitis); and Community/Mental Health, Department of Nursing, University of South Alabama, Mobile (Dr Broome).
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alexaitis
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Broome
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D058996:Quality Improvement; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*