Use of urinary catheters without an acceptable indication of use increases the likelihood of infection leading to greater morbidity and health care costs. Catheter-associated bacteriuria often leads to inappropriate antimicrobial use and secondary complications including emergence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms and infection with clostridium difficile. A previous study showed that physicians are often unaware of urinary catheterization among their patients. Use of urinary catheters has found to be inappropriate in up to 50% of cases, with urinary incontinence listed as the most common reason for inappropriate and continued placement of urinary catheters. Clinical practice guidelines support the removal or avoidance of unnecessary urinary catheters in order to reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).

Conditions: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Bacteriuria, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

Procedures: Urinary Catheter, Foley Catheter

Treatments: Antibiotics