HOSPITAL‐ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Abstract

SUMMARYNosocomial urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for up to 40% of all hospital‐acquired infections. The associated morbidity and mortality are a major drain on hospital resources. Patients with indwelling urinary catheters, patients undergoing urological manipulations, long‐stay elderly male patients and patients with debilitating diseases are at high risk of developing nosocomial UTIs. The organisms responsible usually originate from patients' endogenous intestinal flora, but occasionally from a moist site in the hospital environment. Nosocomial pathogens causing UTIs tend to have a higher antibiotic resistance than simple UTIs. Infection control policies are important in limiting the number of hospital‐acquired UTIs. Other important points include catheterisation using an aseptic technique and sterile equipment and the use of closed drainage systems. UTIs should be treated only after a urine sample has been sent and the advice of a microbiologist sought. In the future catheters impregnated with antibiotics, and the use of newer materials, may lead to further reductions in the incidence of nosocomial UTIs.