Reduction of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Driving Change.

Despite the many advancements in infection prevention, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) continue to be problematic for many hospitals. The large urban teaching hospital featured in this article developed a team that consisted of a registered nurse quality Lean coach, bedside nurses from each inpatient nursing unit, physicians, an infection prevention specialist nurse, an education specialist nurse, and members of the quality department to study this matter. The team focused on understanding current practice related to the use and duration of indwelling urinary catheters. It was discovered that while some indwelling urinary catheters were justified, others could have been avoided altogether or removed earlier. Multifaceted measures were instituted at this hospital to decrease indwelling urinary catheter days and reduce CAUTI rates. The team's journey to successfully decreasing indwelling urinary catheter days by 19.79% and CAUTI rates by 38% is highlighted.

Seven steps to success: identifying quality indicators for better patient care.

Consumers are taking a more active role in their own health care. They are taking the time to review and evaluate health care providers and institutions to determine who provides the best quality care. The goal of most institutions is to get to zero for any hospital-acquired infections or injury. Physicians and nurses are daily assessing the needs of their patients to make sure all the bases are covered. It almost seems impossible to accomplish. Our nursing unit, with physician input, developed a simple approach to make sure the needs are met. It is a back-to-basics team approach.