Implementation of a nurse-driven protocol to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

This article describes a quality improvement project to decrease catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) at an academic medical center. A criteria-based, nurse-driven protocol for discontinuation of indwelling catheters and use of bladder ultrasonography in conjunction with intermittent catheterizations was the foundation for change. The CAUTI rate, the number of CAUTIs, cost of medications and supplies associated with treating CAUTIs, catheter duration, and intensive care unit length of stay decreased after protocol implementation.