Background: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak presents an infection control challenge to deliver care in a safe environment for patients and healthcare workers (HCW), further complicated by uncertainty regarding the nature of contagion of SARS-CoV-2 and PPE supply chain. On March 15, 2020, we introduced “medical distancing” rounding guidelines, with the aim of reducing transmission of COVID-19 when [...]

Background: The use of contact precautions (CP) for patients with colonized or infected (endemic) methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is common in many hospitals, but emerging literature does not support CP over standard precautions in preventing hospital acquired infection. CP use has been associated with delays in admission and discharge, fewer bedside evaluations, preventable adverse events [...]

Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are one of the most common hospital acquired infections and cost on average $13,793 per case according to the AHRQ. Many quality and safety organizations including the Society of Hospital Medicine recommend reducing the prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters (IUC) as a means to reduce the incidence of [...]

Background: In March 2019, the CEO of our public teaching hospital set a goal for the institution to become a high reliability organization. At that time, the hospital’s rates of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs), and hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) were above the national average. Evaluation [...]

Background: Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) is the most common hospital acquired infection and constitutes upto 40% of all Healthcare Associated Infections. Urinary catheter is used in 15% to 25% of hospitalized patients and often utilized for inappropriate indications. Daily risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is 3 to 7% with the use of [...]

Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a leading cause of hospital acquired infections. In this analysis, we aim to examine the incidence of CAUTI over the last 8 years and potential social determinants of health that lend to increasing mortality and morbidity during inpatient hospitalizations. Methods: Patient data was collected for years 2011-2018 [...]

Background: Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) and Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) carry a huge health care burden and is associated with increased length of stay and potential harm for the patient. There is an estimated total healthcare cost of $896 per infection for CAUTI and $45,814 per infection associated with CLABSI. The [...]

Background: In 2023, UVA Health’s Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) Coalition identified diagnostic stewardship as a contributing factor in 57% of all CAUTI events. An independent review of all CAUTIs involving hospitalist physicians from 2022-2023 found that diagnostic stewardship was a key driver. Inappropriate urine testing can lead to treating asymptomatic bacteriuria with antibiotics, which [...]