Interventions for the prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infections in intensive care units: An integrative review.

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) put an unnecessary burden on patients and health care systems. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine existing evidence on preventative interventions and protocols currently implemented in intensive care units (ICUs) and the impact they have on CAUTI rates and patient outcomes. This review analysed 14 research articles obtained from electronic databases and included adult patients with urinary catheters in an ICU setting. Evidence demonstrated interventions that included criteria for catheter use, daily review of catheter necessity and discontinuation of catheter prior to day seven were successful in decreasing CAUTI rates. This review provides a scientific basis for the effectiveness of these interventions and protocols. Identification and use of interventions with the greatest positive impact on CAUTI rates are an asset to healthcare professional caring for patients with indwelling catheters and nurse clinicians developing policies.