Not all nosocomial Escherichia coli bacteriurias are catheter associated.

We prospectively determined what proportion of nosocomial E. coli bacteriurias are associated with urinary catheters. Only 46% (95% CI 37–56%) of nosocomial E. coli bacteriurias were catheter-associated. Compared to bacteriuric patients with catheters, non-catheterized patients were less likely to be male and have renal insufficiency or a recent urogenital procedure.