Researchers evaluated the effect of a quality improvement intervention on catheter-associated UTIs at Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor (Mich.) Medical Center. The intervention was comprised of three components:
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1. A urinary management policy that defined appropriate indications for catheter used based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. There was also an accompanying standard operating procedure for proper catheter insertion, maintenance and removal.
2. An electronic urinary management nursing template to ensure inpatients were evaluated daily for the presence of a urinary catheter and when applicable, to determine whether the indication for continued use was appropriate.
3. Standardized catheter kits with presealed junctions to contamination with bacteria.
After the intervention, UTIs decreased 39 percent, and there was a slight decrease in catheter use and the number of catheters without an appropriate indication, according to the study.
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