Which practices prevent CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection)?

Which practices prevent CAUTI (catheter-associated urinary tract infection)?

• A. Use catheter only when necessary; remove promptly; maintain closed drainage; maintain sterile technique during insertion and securement; keep bag below bladder; perineal hygiene.
• B. Always keep catheter in place for a week; never clean perineum; open drainage system.
• C. Use multiple catheters; remove after 6 hours; leave bag at high level.
• D. Do not secure catheter; ignore hygiene.

Answer: (A)

Preventing CAUTI centers on reducing catheter use and keeping careful, continuous care of the catheter. Use the catheter only when it’s truly necessary and remove it as soon as possible, because the longer a catheter stays in, the higher the infection risk. Keep the drainage system closed and intact to prevent microbes from entering the urinary tract. If the drainage line is ever opened, the pathway for infection increases. Ensure the collection bag stays below the bladder to avoid backflow and contamination. Apply sterile technique during insertion and secure the catheter properly to minimize movement and trauma, which can introduce bacteria. Maintain good perineal hygiene to reduce the microbial load around the urethral opening. The other statements fail because they either promote prolonged catheter use, break or bypass the closed drainage system, neglect hygiene, or allow urine to backflow, all of which raise the risk of infection.

Preventing CAUTI centers on reducing catheter use and keeping careful, continuous care of the catheter. Use the catheter only when it’s truly necessary and remove it as soon as possible, because the longer a catheter stays in, the higher the infection risk. Keep the drainage system closed and intact to prevent microbes from entering the urinary tract. If the drainage line is ever opened, the pathway for infection increases. Ensure the collection bag stays below the bladder to avoid backflow and contamination. Apply sterile technique during insertion and secure the catheter properly to minimize movement and trauma, which can introduce bacteria. Maintain good perineal hygiene to reduce the microbial load around the urethral opening.

The other statements fail because they either promote prolonged catheter use, break or bypass the closed drainage system, neglect hygiene, or allow urine to backflow, all of which raise the risk of infection.