SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Appropriateness of Indwelling Urinary Catheter Placement Among Patients With Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection: A Retrospective Analysis of Adult Inpatients

Appropriateness of Indwelling Urinary Catheter Placement Among Patients With Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection: A Retrospective Analysis of Adult Inpatients

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This retrospective study examined adult inpatients at an academic tertiary care institution who were diagnosed with catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) between July 2024 and October 2025. The goal was to determine how many patients had an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) in place without an acceptable indication, based on the institution’s catheter-use criteria.<br /><br />CAUTIs are an important hospital quality metric because they are linked to increased mortality, longer lengths of stay, and are often considered preventable. The authors wanted to better understand how much CAUTI burden might be reduced by improving catheter use practices.<br /><br />Among the patients reviewed, IUC placement was classified as appropriate in 36 cases, inappropriate in 24 cases, and unclear in 3 cases. Thus, more than one-third of patients with CAUTI had an IUC that should not have been in place.<br /><br />The findings suggest that some CAUTIs may be preventable by reducing unnecessary urinary catheter use. The most common contributors to inappropriate placement included catheter use for frequent intake and output monitoring. The authors recommend clinician education about proper Foley catheter indications, patient education about straight catheterization and the risks of indwelling catheters, and broader advocacy for adequate nursing staffing to reduce reliance on unnecessary IUCs for monitoring purposes.<br /><br />Overall, the study highlights a significant opportunity to improve patient safety and reduce CAUTIs by strengthening catheter stewardship.

Asset Subtitle

Allison Bond

Meta Tag

Author List Allison Bond, Carina Ceralde, Catherine Lau, Kirsten N. Kangelaris, Margaret C. Fang

Category Research

Concept Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Concept Indwelling Urinary Catheter

Concept Acceptable Indication

Concept Retrospective Chart Review

Concept Appropriateness Assessment

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of California, San Francisco

Presenting Author Allison Bond

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

catheter-associated urinary tract infection

CAUTI

indwelling urinary catheter

Foley catheter

hospital quality metric

inappropriate catheter use

patient safety

catheter stewardship

urinary catheter indications

retrospective study

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Indwelling Urinary Catheter

Acceptable Indication

Retrospective Chart Review

Appropriateness Assessment