The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has released a practice alert that updates clinical guidelines for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
In the practice alert, AACN has outlined several expectations for nursing units, including development of written guidelines for urinary catheterization, implementation of standards and training programs for catheter insertion and manipulation as well as daily review of all patients' needs for continued catheterization.
Based on available medical literature, AACN has also listed expected practices related to preventions of CAUTIs:
• Assess patient for accepted indications and alternatives prior to placement of any indwelling urinary catheter.
• Adhere to aseptic technique for placement, manipulation and maintenance of indwelling urinary catheters.
• Document all instances of indwelling urinary catheters including insertion date, indication and removal date.
• Discontinue indwelling urinary catheters as soon as indications expire.
In the practice alert, AACN has outlined several expectations for nursing units, including development of written guidelines for urinary catheterization, implementation of standards and training programs for catheter insertion and manipulation as well as daily review of all patients' needs for continued catheterization.
Based on available medical literature, AACN has also listed expected practices related to preventions of CAUTIs:
• Assess patient for accepted indications and alternatives prior to placement of any indwelling urinary catheter.
• Adhere to aseptic technique for placement, manipulation and maintenance of indwelling urinary catheters.
• Document all instances of indwelling urinary catheters including insertion date, indication and removal date.
• Discontinue indwelling urinary catheters as soon as indications expire.
Related Articles on CAUTIs:
Interventions Including Education Can Decrease Incidence of Inappropriate Urinary Catheter Use
Significant Decline in CAUTIs Found in Facilities Using Electronic Systems
California Health Department Releases Six Reports on Healthcare-Acquired Infections