Urinary tract infection represents at least 30% of all healthcare-associated infections, with the vast majority due to the indwelling urinary catheter.  Over 900,000 patients develop a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in a U.S. hospital each year.  Most hospital staff realize that the use of urinary catheters – the dominant risk factor for healthcare-associated UTI - should be minimized for many important reasons:

• the risk of the infection to the patient
• the risk of further complications such as urosepsis
• antimicrobial overuse
• patient immobility and discomfort
• even non-reimbursement due to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid rules changes

​​However, achieving a reduction in indwelling Foley catheter use can be challenging and the best way to do that can and does vary from not only hospital to hospital, but potentially from unit to unit as well. 

This website gives you an array of options for reducing CAUTI and indwelling urinary catheter use.  Some options can include: tools for physician and nurse engagement (see the "Engaging Providers" tab), ideas for nurse led ‘catheter patrols’ to assess patients for Foleys and initiate removal for those that are non-indicated, Foley stop orders, and brochures for patients and their families (see the "Educational Tools" tab) that are requesting a Foley without a true medical indication.
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We hope you find our site useful. Please feel free to contact us and provide feedback!