Catheter-associated urinary tract infections and their associated mortality and increased lengths of stay decreased across the country between 2001 and 2010, according to research published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Researchers performed a retrospective analysis of National Hospital Discharge Surveys for adults with urinary catheter placements. CAUTIs were identified through ICD-9-CM code tracking.
Out of 70.4 million catheterized patients, 3.8 million developed a CAUTI over the 10-year study period. Average rates of CAUTI decreased from 9.4 percent of catheterizations in 2010 to 5.3 percent of catheterizations in 2010.
Mortality and length-of-stay associated with CAUTIs also decreased with 5.4 percent mortality and nine-day length-of-stay declining to 3.7 percent mortality and a seven-day length-of-stay.
The reasons for these declines were not immediately apparent.
More Articles on CAUTIs:
Indiana Releases First Statewide HAI Report
Near Complete CAUTI Elimination for 2-Year Erase CAUTI Participants
Bridgeport Hospital Awarded $9.2M For Negligent Care