title: [Impact of an intervention to improve indwelling urinary catheter use and reduce urinary tract infections].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of an intervention regarding the adequate use and improvement in the care of indwelling urinary catheters (IUC) and the frequency of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in hospitalised patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi-experimental study was performed. Basic data on the use of IUC were recorded before and after the intervention, which consisted of training on IUC use and the implementation of reminders for their removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 197 patients in the pre-intervention period and 194 in the post-intervention period. There was a non-significant decrease in the prevalence (17.3% versus 15.3%) and days with IUC (4.8±5.8 versus 4.3±4.2). There was an increase in adequately prescribed (41.1% versus 61.9%; P<.001) and attached IUC (0% vs 38.1%; P<.001), and a decrease in the urine collection bags on the floor (26.4% vs 6,2%; P<.001). The increase in the appropriate indications for IUC (86.8% vs 92.3%) and the decrease in CAUTI incidence density (2.1 vs 1.2 episodes/1,000 catheter days) were not significant, although above the standards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After the intervention there was a significant increase in the number of adequately prescribed and attached IUC, and a decrease in the number of urine collection bags on the floor. Improvement in IUC indication and frequency of CAUTI reached the quality standards. Educational activities and the use of reminders improve safety of hospitalised patients with IUC.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Infecciones, Fundació Hospital de l'Esperit Sant, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: asa30412@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smithson
authors.affiliation: Enfermería, Fundació Hospital de l'Esperit Sant, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Fundació Hospital de l'Esperit Sant, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia. Fundació Hospital de l'Esperit Sant, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martínez-Santana
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D062885:Urinary Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Calidad; Indwelling urinary catheter; Infección nosocomial; Infección tracto urinario; Nosocomial infection; Patient safety; Prevención; Prevention; Quality; Seguridad del paciente; Sondaje uretral; Urinary tract infection