A study on catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of uropathogens causing CAUTI from a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), remains the commonest hospital-acquired infection (HAI). This emphasizes the need to implement and monitor effective infection control programs to reduce the risk of CAUTI. Aim of the present study was to determine the etiology with antibiotic susceptibility and also to calculate CAUTI rate. The Patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU), Rajarajeshwari Medical College and Hospital who were on urinary catheter insertion for >48 hours from 1 August, 2019 to 30 September, 2019 were included in the study. Under aseptic conditions urine samples were collected from clinically suspected cases of CAUTI, the samples were processed in the department of Microbiology, as per standard protocols. Uropathogens were isolated, identified and subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test. CAUTI rate was calculated and results were noted. Among 460 patients on catheter in ICU, 28(6%) patients developed clinical signs or symptoms of UTI. Of 28 urine samples cultured, 4(14%) yielded growth of single organis [Escherichia coli (3), Klebsiella (1)] and 24(86%) showed no evidence of growth. 2300 catheter days were obtained of 460 patients on indwelling catheter in ICU. Thus CAUTI rate was 1.74 per 1000 catheter days over a 2 month period.CAUTI remained a great burden to patient safety and a challenge to the infection control team. Implementation of proper care bundles and continuous education to health care workers plays a key role in reducing the CAUTI rates, thereby decreasing the morbidity and hospital stay to the patients.