Abstract
Introduction
CAUTIs, or Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection, are one of the leading causes of healthcare associated infections. Since 2008, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) stopped reimbursing hospital for the cost of CAUTIs, forcing hospitals to modify and improve care provided to patients with indwelling urinary catheters (IUC). They are reportable events to CMS, which can signify the quality of care provided at any medical institution. These infections also cause extra pain and suffering and can complicate any hospital stay. Treatment requires antibiotic use, which helps create and spread antibiotic-resistant organisms with excessive use.
Methods
BICU and BSC staff were evaluated for knowledge of IUC care, maintenance and policies using a quiz dispersed to RNs. This quiz identified knowledge gaps to help focus on specific topics for training. During Skills Day, all Burn RNs were given a mandatory training, including a PowerPoint presentation, hands-on training performing catheter care, and a handout with quick tips for maintenance. All technical partners (TP) were also trained, though they were not given the quiz. To assess effectiveness of training, RNs were encouraged to take a post-training quiz. Rates of CAUTI will also be closely monitored.
Results
For the pre-training quiz, average scores were 13.1 correct answers (out of 23 questions) or 56.5%. Post-training quiz scores were 18.5 correct answers (out of 23 questions) or 81%. Since the training in September 2018, no new CAUTIs have been recorded.
Conclusions
The training provided helped enhance burn staff skills to maintain and care for indwelling urinary catheters, as well as changed attitudes on the unit.
Applicability of Research to Practice
CAUTIs are a reflection of the quality of care an institution and unit provides its patients. It is also closely monitored and used to compare similar units across the nation. The training provided to the burn staff has shown to decrease the number of CAUTIs in the Burn ICU and Burn Special Care environments, thus decreasing costs, pain and suffering and antibiotic use.
Supporting patients with long-term catheterisation to reduce risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection