New R3 Report From the Joint Commission Examines CAUTIs

An estimated 450,000 catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) occur annually in hospitals and represent the leading cause of health care-associated infection in hospitals. A new R3 Report from The Joint Commission provides hospitals with in-depth information about a 2012 National Patient Safety Goal related to preventing CAUTIs in hospitals.

The R3 Report is designed to give hospitals and critical access hospitals a deeper understanding of the new requirements to use evidence-based practices to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The R3 Report provides information on the specific elements of performance for the National Patient Safety Goal that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012. The Goal will require hospitals and critical access hospitals to:

- Insert indwelling urinary catheters according to established evidence-based guidelines.

- Manage indwelling urinary catheters according to established evidence-based guidelines.

- Measure and monitor catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention processes and outcomes in high-volume areas.

In addition, the R3 Report provides the rationale for the goal, reference information, results of feedback from the field, and level of evidence for each element of performance.

To view the R3 Report on catheter-associated urinary tract infections, visit:

http://www.jointcommission.org/about_us/joint_commission_newsletters.aspx or sign-up to receive the newsletter by e-mail.