Summary
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a urinary system infection involving the bladder, urethra, kidney, and ureters. Most of the UTIs acquired in the hospital are connected to urinary catheters, especially when there is prolonged use. The infections are obtained through poor insertion techniques and unnecessary use that may introduce bacteria (Atkins et al., 2020). The health professional should standardize urinary catheter insertion to address the Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI).
Moreover, there should be the maintenance of bundles based on well-known evidence-based procedures. Ideally, the medical worker should be monitoring compliance with urinary catheter bundles by providing timely feedback. Other frontline health caregivers must collaborate in designing and measuring patient outcomes related to applicable CAUTI rates and catheter use. Education awareness campaigns and periodic in-service competency is significant. Furthermore, it should be based on the training of healthcare caregivers and prompt coaching by clinical resource nurses (CRNs).
Effective Handwashing in Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Hand hygiene (HH) and infections are inversely interconnected, whereby adherence is a critical step in preventing healthcare-linked infections. Hand washing is an essential intervention method, but it is ignored mainly by healthcare personnel in hospital settings (Al Kuwaiti, 2017). The multicomponent intervention is efficient in the improvement of HH compliance so that hospital staff can avoid CAUTI. Measures in preventing the infections are categorized into programs aimed at deterring catheter-associated urinary tract infections when applied by medical personnel.
The intervention methods fall under World Health Organization (WHO) point’s strategy. An increase in availability and easier access to water supply and alcohol-based rub and holding is recommended. More training events on handwashing and infection control to curb infection are critical. Seemingly, the provision of education and support with frequent assessment and feedback analysis should be a priority. On the other hand, the presentation of visual displays to motivate handwashing increases the chances of CAUTI prevention. My current perspective and direction were prompted by the high number of CAUTIs in healthcare facilities, which is draining resources and impacting patients’ health.
References
Al Kuwaiti, A. (2017). Impact of a multicomponent hand hygiene intervention strategy in reducing infection rates at a university hospital in Saudi Arabia. Interventional Medicine and Applied Science, 9(3), 137-143. Web.
Atkins, L., Sallis, A., Chadborn, T., Shaw, K., Schneider, A., & Hopkins, S. (2020). Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections: A systematic review of barriers and facilitators and strategic behavioral analysis of interventions. Implementation Science, 15(1). Web.