Researchers who evaluated two different methods of measuring catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates in the setting of a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing device utilization conclude that using device-days as a method of risk adjustment to calculate device-associated infection rates may mask the impact of a successful quality improvement program and reward programs not actively engaged in reducing device usage.
Marc-Oliver Wright, MS, CIC, of the Department of Infection Control at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Ill., and colleagues, compared CAUTI measurements in the context of a before-after trial of acute care adult admissions to a multicentered healthcare system. The researchers identified CAUTIs with an automated surveillance system, and device-days were measured through an electronic health record. Traditional surveillance measures of CAUTI rates per 1,000 device-days (R1) were compared with CAUTI rates per 10,000 patient-days (R2) before (T1) and after (T2) an intervention aimed at reducing catheter utilization.
Wright, et al. report that the device-utilization ratio declined from 0.36 to 0.28 between T1 and T2 (), while infection rates were significantly lower when measured by R2 (28.2 vs 23.2, ). When measured by R1, however, infection rates trended upward by 6 percent (7.79 vs. 8.28, ), and at the nursing unit level, reduction in device utilization was significantly associated with increases in infection rate. Their research was published inthe July issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
Reference: Wright MO, Kharasch M, Beaumont JL, Peterson LR and Robicsek A. Reporting Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Denominator Matters. Infect Control Hospital Epidem. Vol. 32, No. 7. July 2011.
Long COVID: Urgent Findings, Including Brain Alterations, Call for Renewed Public Health Focus
October 21st 2024New research highlights long COVID’s global impact, cognitive decline, and societal consequences, urging renewed focus on prevention, including vaccination, mask use, and better air quality.
Health Care-Associated Burkholderia multivorans Infections Traced to Contaminated Ice Machines
October 14th 2024Contaminated ice machines caused Burkholderia multivorans infections at hospitals in California and Colorado. Health officials recommend stopping ice machine use during clinical care to prevent further outbreaks.
Strengthening Defenses: Integrating Infection Control With Antimicrobial Stewardship
October 11th 2024Use this handout to explain the basics of why infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship are essential and how the 2 fields must have a unified approach to patient and staff safety
Blood Product Overtransfusion Is a Global Issue: Here Are 5 Reasons the Practice Must Change
October 9th 2024If a patient receives treatment or therapy that they do not need, it can cause unnecessary harm. This is true for medications, surgeries, and medical procedures, especially blood transfusions.