Effect of CAUTI Prevention Alert - A Randomized Control Trial

Effect of CAUTI Prevention Alert - A Randomized Control Trial

This study proposes to expand upon previous research by studying the effects of a urinary-catheter removal alert on duration of urinary catheter use and frequency of CAUTIs with a large, randomized controlled trial within a three-hospital academic medical center.

Hypothesis The proposed urinary-catheter removal alerts will decrease the number of catheter days and decrease the number of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), but will not affect the catheter re-insertion rate.

Primary Objectives

• Specific Aim 1: Investigate the effect of a urinary-catheter removal alert on the rate of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
• Specific Aim 2: Investigate the effect of a urinary-catheter removal alert on the number of catheter days.
• Specific Aim 3: Evaluate the effect of a urinary-catheter removal alert on the rate of catheter re-insertion.
• Specific Aim 4: Evaluate the effect of a urinary-catheter removal alert on overall mortality in patients with indwelling catheters.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All admissions with an indwelling urinary catheter will be randomly assigned to intervention vs. control (usual care) conditions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and pediatric patients