CAUTI

Question 1

What does CAUTI stand for?

Answer 1

Catheter associated UTI

Question 2

Why is it difficult to diagnose?

Answer 2

Can be difficult to diagnose: the presence of the catheter means that the patient doesn’t develop frequency or dysuria

Question 3

What are some symptoms?

Answer 3

Flank/loin pain
Pelvic discomfort
Acute haemoturia

Question 4

Due to a catheter, a urine dipstick cannot be performed as it will always be positive.

How is the urine collected?

Answer 4

Catheter sample of urine (CSU)

Taken from catheter port site

OR

Recatherterisation

It is sent to culture

Question 5

Treatment:

What should be done to the catheter?

Answer 5

Catheter removal or catheter change

Question 6

Prevention:

Avoid catheters

Read the rest?

Answer 6

Insertion by properly trained personnel, using good aseptic technique

Unobstructed flow – no kinks in tubing, keep the bag secured below the level of the bladder to avoid backflow, empty drainage bag when necessary

Encourage mobilisation, recognise and treat dehydration, resolve constipation, encourage good hygiene

Removal of catheter when no longer required

Routine catheter changes for long term catheters

Antibiotic prophylaxis not routinely required unless significant previous infection associated with catheter manipulations