Careful Monitoring of Intravesical Volume Prevent Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection

The best prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) is based on the assessment of the need for catheterization before the placement of any indwelling urinary catheter. The systematic use of bladder scanner could increase the appropriateness of catheterization, avoid excessive relaxation of the bladder, reduce patient discomfort, costs and days of hospitalization. The overall effectiveness of the ultrasound or bladder scanner in the reduction of CAUTI was 95% based on meta-analysis and review of literature. The use of bladder ultrasound is a nurse-led intervention in CAUTI prevention. After an educational intervention on CAUTI prevention, monitoring of intravesical volumes were done via the bladder scanner. Data was collected on identifying patients- at -risk and interventions were applied before the patient requires prolonged catheter use. Due to the high CAUTI rates for the past few months in the floor, an evidence-based project on CAUTI prevention was conducted. The careful monitoring of intra vesical volume via bladder scan prior to reinsertion of Foley prevents CAUTI. Collection of data was done weekly from the first week of October through the 4th week of December 2016. There were 44 -bladder scanned patients who failed to void 6-8 hours’ post removal of IUC with post-void residuals of only 200-300 ml, who eventually voided after 4 hours. There were only 4 reinsertions since the bladder scan showed an intra vesical volumes of 600-800 ml and meticulous Foley care was applied to prevent CAUTI. The data showed that careful monitoring of intra vesical volumes through the bladder scan prior to replacement of Foley along with the mandatory education, are successful nursing interventions in the prevention of CAUTI