Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Adults:

Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention, and management of persons with catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI), both symptomatic and asymptomatic, were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The evidence-based guidelines encompass diagnostic criteria, strategies to reduce the risk of CA-UTIs, strategies that have not been found to reduce the incidence of urinary infections, and management strategies for patients with catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria or symptomatic urinary tract infection. These guidelines are intended for use by physicians in all medical specialties who perform direct patient care, with an emphasis on the care of patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Catheter-associated (CA) bacteriuria is the most com-mon health care–associated infection worldwide and is a result of the widespread use of urinary catheterization, much of which is inappropriate, in hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Considerable personnel time and other costs are expended by health care in-stitutions to reduce the rate of CA infections, especiall