Abstract

A REVIEW ON PREVENTION OF CATHETER-ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Satish Kumar BP, Dr. Parvathi K.*, Dr. Mariya Shaju, Dr. Dince Baby and Dr. Jithin

ABSTRACT

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTI) continue to be the most prevalent nosocomial infection, accounting for around 40% of infections in most hospitals. Up until recently, clinical research on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) was mostly ignored. However, outside factors like required public reporting of nosocomial infections and the "zero tolerance" attitude toward hospital-acquired diseases have raised awareness of this infection. All recommendations agree that the length of catheterization is the most significant and theoretically changeable risk factor for CAUTI. The pathophysiology of CAUTI is heavily influenced by biofilm and the complexity of biofilm formation in the catheterized urinary tract continues to be explained by basic science research, which is promoting the creation of new CAUTI prevention strategies. Currently, the only two principles that are universally recommended for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections include a closed drainage system and minimising the length of catheterization. And it is unclear if any other measures can lessen the frequency of bacteriuria in this scenario. Hence a key objective of infection control strategies in healthcare is the avoidance of infections linked to these devices.

Keywords: CAUTI, prevention.