Eliminating CAUTI

It is both “a sprint and a marathon.” That's how a team at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., described reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Along with SJMH, many hospitals and care systems are part of the sprint-marathon and using the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program to reduce CAUTI rates and improve patient safety and quality. These hospitals have been successful using a two-pronged approach: implementing evidence-based clinical, or technical, interventions while simultaneously creating a strong culture of safety that facilitates and encourages improvement. A new HPOE guide “Eliminating Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections” outlines this approach in a three-step action plan. Steps include:

• Communicating that infection reduction is an organizational priority;
• Providing implementation support; and
• Celebrating success while supporting sustainability and spread.

This guide describes the steps in detail, includes case examples and resources, and highlights components of the CUSP model. SJMH's results include an increase in the percentage of catheters that are removed within two days post-operation, from 79 percent to about 97 percent.

HPOE.org features webinars, guides and case studies from AHA resources and other groups. Read more HPOE.org resources.

More information about On the CUSP: Stop CAUTI is available at www.onthecuspstophai.org.