Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in home care: a performance improvement project.

The Performance Improvement Department of one home healthcare agency (HHA) identified an increase in the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) during 2009. An investigation was undertaken to identify factors that contributed to this increase and an action plan was implemented to reduce the rate of infections. Modifications were made to the surveillance process to align the infection rate calculation with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and staff education was undertaken to ensure utilization of evidence-based practice. An overall reduction in the CAUTI rate was achieved through this multifactorial approach.