Prevention of catheter-associated UTI in adults

The most effective strategy to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is to limit the use of indwelling urinary catheters. Avoid using urinary catheters unless they are clearly indicated, and remove them as soon as they are no longer required.

To reduce the risk of infection in patients who require an indwelling urinary catheter, use sterile equipment and aseptic technique, and ensure proper hygiene when maintaining and removing a catheter. A closed-catheter drainage system, with ports in the distal catheter for needle aspiration of urine should be usedLo, 2014.

Antiseptic or antimicrobial impregnated urinary catheters are expensive and sometimes more uncomfortable than standard catheters; they do not reduce the incidence of CA-UTI to a clinically significant extentBonkat, 2024.

Do not give antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent CA-UTI. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated at the time of catheter placement, removal or replacementBonkat, 2024.

Do not use instillations of antiseptic agents or irrigate the bladder with antimicrobial or antiseptic agents to prevent CA-UTIBonkat, 2024.

Implementation of urinary catheter management programs (‘bundles’) reduces catheter use and therefore the rate of CA-UTILo, 2014Mody, 2015Saint, 2016.