1. UTI Prevention in Patients with Foley Catheters
Lourdes Health Network
2011

2. Background
UTIs account for over 6 million patient visits to physicians per year in the United States.
UTIs are the most common hospital acquired (HA) infection
80% of HA-UTI are attributable to indwelling urethral catheters.
12-16% of hospitalized patients will get a Foley and half of them do NOT have a valid indication.
Risk of UTI increases 3-7% for every day with Foley

3. Relevance
UTIs increase a patient’s length of stay an average of day
The estimated cost per Catheter Associated UTI (CAUTI) ranges $500- $3000
If not documented upon admission (CAUTI), then hospital cannot code for higher reimbursement DRG for Medicare patients in some hospitals

4. Urinary Tract Infections
Definition of UTI
a microbial infection (typically bacterial) of the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys.
Most common is Escheria coli
Certain people are at a higher risk for kidney infections if they develop asymptomatic bacteriuria. The following increases your risk
DiabetesInfected kidney stones
Kidney transplant
Older age
Pregnancy -- up to 40% of pregnant women with untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria will develop a kidney infectionVesicoureteral reflux in young children

5. UTI Definition continued…
Symptomatic
more typical presentation (burning with urination, urinary frequency, low fever, cloudy urine (possibly), foul odor to urine, pressure or cramping in lower abdomen
Asymptomatic bacteriuria
a significant number of bacteria in the urine that occurs without usual symptoms such as burning during urination or frequent urination. Those with urinary catheters will more likely have this condition.

6. 3 Primary Routes of Infection
Catheter-meatal junction
More often in females (shorter urethra)
Catheter manipulation
Example: allowing drainage spout to touch the ground or contaminating the catheter tubing while placing a new drainage bag.
Retrograde bacterial migration
Example: lifting bag above level of bladder during transport or repositioning

7. More about indwelling catheters….
They are uncomfortable for patients
Can be unnecessary for patient treatment plan
(41-58% in place found to be not indicated)
Can be associated with negative outcomes
Urethral inflammation
Urethral strictures
Mechanical trauma to urethra/bladder
Can DECREASE mobility (because the patient
does not have to get out of bed to urinate) which
may impede recovery or contribute to complications
like pressure ulcers, pneumonia, and/or DVT

8. Appropriate Indications For Foley Catheters per LHN Protocol
Criteria for Continuing Foley Catheter
Strict I & O or aggressive treatment with diuretics or fluids
Chronic urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction
Critically ill patient – hemodynamic instability
Renal failure
Recent renal/urology procedure
Acute neurogenic bladder
History of chronic, prolonged catherization or suprapubic catheter
Hematuria
Chemical sedation or paralyzation
Terminally ill or palliative care patient
Epidural catheter
Pelvic or hip fracture
Stage 3 or greater pressure ulceration on coccyx or buttocks
Urinary retention- prolonged period of no urinary output post-operatively

9. Urinary Catheters are NOT Indicated for:
Immobility or poor mobility
General incontinence
Skin excoriation
Obtaining urine specimens
Patient request
Nurse convenience

10. What is a Nurse Initiated Foley Removal?
A policy developed in keeping with national best practice standards which ensures that Foley catheters are used appropriately.
Facilitates nursing assessment for approved indications for the use of a Foley catheters
Nurses are empowered to remove unnecessary catheters (those not meeting an approved criteria) without a doctors order.
Enables catheters to be removed earlier!
Decreases potential for hospital acquired UTIs in our patients!!!
DOCUMENT- sometimes MDs do not know the patient has a foley, thus they do not address the need to take it out)

11. This policy has been supported and approved by MEC!

12. Foley Removal Assessment & Documentation on Meditech

13. Foley Removal Assessment & Documentation on Meditech continued . . . .
Look up for
continuing Foley

14. If the patient does not meet any of the criteria for continuing the Foley catheter, REMOVE THE CATHETER!

15. Post catheter removal
Educate patient about what to expect (e.g. to notify nursing with the first voided specimen, measuring urine, getting help if needed to go to the BR, etc.)
Document due to void time(5 – 8 hours post catheter removal) and communicate this with the oncoming shift!
Scan patients bladder and notify physician of inability to void if the patient is unable to void post removal.

16. Documentation of removal & due to void time (DTV)

17. Document Output - Post Catheter Removal

18. If Urinary Catheterization continues to be appropriate. . . .
Use aseptic technique during subsequent catheter insertion and care
Properly manage the system and components
Keep closed drainage system
Keep bag below level of the bladder
Prevent excessive manipulation of the catheter
Keep bag off of the floor
Secure catheter to leg
Provide catheter care daily and after bowel movements
Continue to educate and advocate for the prompt removal of the Foley catheter

19. References Institute for Healthcare Improvement-Preventing CAUTI
Lo, E., Nicolle, L, Classen, D., et al. (2008). Strategies to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in acute care hospitals. Infection control and hospital epidimiology. October, Vol 29, Supplement 1. (Supplement article: SHEA/IDSA practice recommendations)
Nazarko, Linda (2008). Reducing the risk of catheter-related urinary tract infection. British Journal of Nursing, Vol 17, No 16.
Gotelli, J., Merryman, P., Carr, C., McElveen, Epperson, C., & Bynum, D. (2008). A quality improvement project to reduce the complications associated with indwelling urinary catheters. (Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates) Urologic Nursing. pp
Vieira, Fabricia (2009). Nursing actions to prevent urinary tract infection associated with long-standing bladder catheter. A Literature Review. Einstein; 7 (3 part 1):

20. References continued
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
Association for Professional Infection Control and Epidimiology (APIC)
Busuttil Leaver, Rachel (2007).The evidence for urethral meatal cleansing. Nursing Standard. June, vol 21, no 41.
2009 NACNS National Conference Abstracts (March 5-7, 2009), St. Louis, Missouri.Creating a foley free zone by preventing and removing unnecessary urinary catheters.
Clinical Nurses finding evidence for practice: reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Critical Care Nurse. April, 29 (2)