Background: Urinary catheters, vascular catheters, and wounds such as pressure injuries are often hidden from view under gowns and sheets – out of sight, out of mind – contributing to prolonged catheter use, infections, delayed interventions, and diagnostic errors for symptoms (e.g., fever, delirium) related to catheters and wounds. We developed and pilot tested a [...]

Background: Indwelling urinary catheters (IDUCs) are commonplace in hospital medicine wards, facilitating patient care but introducing risks such as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The urgency to minimize these complications has spurred initiatives to refine catheter utilization protocols. This study examines the efficacy of the Foley Removal Countdown Strategy, a novel, proactive approach in the [...]

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: Misdiagnosis of catheter associated asymptomatic bacteriuria as CAUTI leads to inappropriate use of antibiotics and related consequences, including medication side effects, antibiotic resistance, C. difficile infection, and potential financial penalties to hospitals. Purpose: To develop and implement an evidence-based pathway to improve evaluation of CAUTI in our academic health system. Description: Health system leadership [...]