Reducing Urinary Tract Infection Rates Using a Controlled Aseptic Protocol for Catheter Insertion

Reducing Urinary Tract Infection Rates Using a Controlled Aseptic Protocol for Catheter Insertion

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) complications following catheter use in surgical patients remains high. Using an aseptic protocol has been shown to drastically reduce UTI incidence by 50%. Reducing UTIs will prevent extended hospital stays, readmission, and antibiotic use associated with this complication and improve cost-effectiveness of care. The investigators hypothesize that they can reduce the incidence of UTIs after catheter placement with the implementation of a Quality Improvement (QI) protocol to prevent excess exposure to the environment exposure of the catheter before, during and after insertion.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. women 18-89 years of age
2. admitted for surgery lasting >1 hour and requiring urinary catheter,
3. have normal urine analysis within 24 hours pre-surgery, and
4. able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. currently on dialysis,
2. chronic urinary infection,
3. hyperthyroidism,
4. current infection,
5. a history of allergy or sensitivity to iodine.
6. women who are pregnant or breast feeding
7. men due to their lower incidence of UTIs compared to the female population.