A Chlorhexidine Gluconate Protocol to Decrease Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: A Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) lead to higher health care costs and adverse patient outcomes.

LOCAL PROBLEM: A Midwestern acute care hospital saw an increase in CAUTI rates from July to December 2022.

METHODS

Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles guided this quality improvement project.

INTERVENTIONS: Staff education and coaching facilitated a change from daily bathing and urinary catheter care using soap and water to using chlorhexidine gluconate wipes for all adult patients with indwelling urinary catheters.

RESULTS

This change led to a substantial 81.1% reduction in the CAUTI rate, sustained over 24 months, decreasing from an average rate of 2.12 to 0.40.

CONCLUSION

Implementing a standardized chlorhexidine gluconate bathing and catheter care protocol significantly reduced CAUTI rates, suggesting it is an effective strategy for minimizing CAUTI risk in acute care settings.