Evidence Based Practice- Literature Review

Running ahead: CATHETER-ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTION 0

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections that affect the urinary system. The parts that can be affected include the urethra, ureters, bladder and kidney among others. Many people suffer from this infection. The national healthcare organization bodies in different nation report that three-quarter of the UTIs reported in hospitals are attributed with the use of urinary catheters. UTIs are associated with the use of catheters for an extended period. It is, therefore, vital to make certain that the catheters are used correctly and be uninvolved as soon as they are not required (Tambyah & Oon, 2012).

CAUTI is my area of interest due to the high percentage that it contributes to the urinary tract infections. Through study, CAUTI has been revealed to upsurge the patient sickness, humanity and amplified length of stay in infirmaries (Nicolle, 2014). Therefore there is a need to take action to prevent all these diseases as early as possible before it takes humanity with it. The symptoms of catheter-associated urinary tract infection include misty urine, pain around the lower back or stomach, urine seepage, fever, blood in the urine and unexplained fatigue. Preventions of the infection include the use of closed catheter systems, antimicrobial coated catheters, Enhanced Meatal care and most importantly, removal of catheter. Treatment may take seven days with antimicrobial treatment for patients with CAUTI. However, ten to fourteen days get recommended for those patients with a delayed response (Tambyah & Oon, 2012).

The major air is to lessen the use of urinary catheter as one way to prevent CAUTI. These strategies are important in nursing practice since there will help in reducing urinary catheter use and decreased duration off urinary catheterization for those who will have to undergo through it (Nicolle, 2014). Also creating awareness of this infection in the society will help people to go for checkups and start treatments early if they are infected. Such strategies will contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality. It is further significant in nursing practice since it will emphasize the need to make clinical decisions to avoid unnecessary catheter insertion and quick elimination of needless tubes. Such interferences seem to be of low price, low risk and are entirely operative (Tambyah & Oon, 2012).

Questions

What are some of the risk factors for urinary tract infections and recommended prevention measures?
What are the recommended practices for catheter care and maintenance?
Which interventions have nurses taken to prevent and control catheter-associated urinary tract infections?
What strategies can be put in place to prevent and control CUATI?
How does CAUTI prevention affect nursing practice through evidence-based practice?

I will choose the first question since it is relevant to my research topic. It addresses the risk factors that contribute to CAUTI. This is very important since once the risk factors have been identified it will guide the formulation of the preventive measures. The question also deals with the current guidelines in the management, control and prevention of CAUTI. I have great interest in this topic hence the selection of this question.

PICOT Variables

Patient

CAUTI can affect anybody in the society. Therefore, all genders, ages, and races are in danger of contracting this kind of infection.

Intervention

I will implement several interventions to address CAUTI. One of the strategies is developing and implementing a program that will help create awareness of this infection. This will be the major plan that I will consider in solving my problem. The infection control policy should include actions to limit CAUTI (Nicolle, 2014). Where such platforms have been applied, there have been better-quality aftermaths.

Specific tests, therapies, and medications for the patients will be done. I will implement a policy that all acute patients should have their urine monitored every hour. Adherence to infection control protocols and catheter maintenance is essential. There will be emphasis put on the adherence to general infection control principles such as hand hygiene, surveillance and proper maintenance. There will be no necessity of using indwelling tube except where are a must, and the medics have insisted. Also, there will be the first exclusion of the catheter using nurse-initiated elimination procedure. All these activities are intended to help both non-infected and infected patients.

Comparison

When it comes to comparison of this problem, there will be no particular idea developed since CAUTI is an infection that needs quick attention. However as indicated above, implementing a program that will create awareness of this infection and its causes will help people to take precautions so as to avoid this infection. This will reduce the number of reported cases since people will be educated on the important areas to prevent the infections (Nicolle, 2014). For those who will have the symptoms of the infection will be directed to go for the diagnosis and checkup so that essential act can get engaged as timely as possible.

Outcome

After implementation of the above mention strategies, the expected outcome is to get reduced morbidity and mortality of patients with catheter-associated urinary tract infection. They will also be an expectation of reduced number of patients with the infection since people will have taken the necessary action to prevent it.

Time

To implement such strategies may take quite a long term since there will be the need to consult various institutions and experts. Also implementing an awareness program and acquiring machines and computers need for screening and diagnosis may be costly (Meddings et al, 2013). Therefore my plan can be long term if the relevant bodies to get consulted will not take quick action.

Key words:

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections, CAUTI, Urinary catheter, Bacteriuria, Urinary tract infection, Nurse-directed catheter removal protocol, Hospital-acquired urinary tract infections, Indwelling urethral catheter, Antibiotic Resistance and catheterization

References

Meddings, J., Rogers, M. A., Krein, S. L., Fakih, M. G., Olmsted, R. N., & Saint, S. (2013). Reducing unnecessary urinary catheter use and other strategies to prevent catheter- associated urinary tract infection: an integrative review. BMJ quality & safety, bmjqs- 2012.

Nicolle, L. E. (2014). Catheter associated urinary tract infections. Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 3(1), 23.

Tambyah, P. A., & Oon, J. (2012). Catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Current opinion in infectious diseases, 25(4), 365-370.