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Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

Florida Health

Disease Control

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are one of the most common health care-associated infections. A catheter is a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine. Catheters are sometimes used after surgery or if you cannot control your bladder function. A urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of the urinary system, such as the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys (please visit the UTI page for more information). CAUTIs have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, health care costs, and length of stay in a health care facility.

When should an indwelling catheter be used?

Appropriate uses for an indwelling urinary catheter:

  • Patient has acute anatomic or functional urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction
  • Need for accurate measurements of urinary output in critically ill patients
  • Perioperative use for selected surgical procedures
  • To assist in healing open sacral or perineal wounds in incontinent patients
  • To improve comfort for end-of-life care if needed or patient preference

Inappropriate uses for an indwelling urinary catheter:

  • For convenience of nursing care
  • To obtain urine for culture or other diagnostic tests when the patient can voluntarily void
  • For prolonged postoperative duration without appropriate indications
  • Causes and Risk Factors
  • Symptoms and Treatment
  • Prevention
  • Resources

CAUTIs occur when germs enter and infect the urinary tract through the urinary catheter. This could happen upon insertion, if the drainage bag is not emptied enough, contamination of bacteria from a bowel movement, irregular cleaning, and if urine from the catheter bag flows backward into the bladder. Prolonged catheter use is the number one risk factor for developing CAUTI.

Symptoms

CAUTIs have similar symptoms to a typical UTI, including:

  • Pain in the lower abdomen or back
  • Urine leakage around catheter
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever

Treatment

Most CAUTIs can be treated with antibiotics or removal or change of the catheter. A health care provider will be able to diagnose and properly treat the infection.

Pyuria (i.e. white blood cells or pus in the urine) in short-term catheterized patients is not evidence of infection and should not be treated with antibiotics. Most patients with bacteriuria do not have any signs or symptoms of UTI and should not be treated with antibiotics. Please visit of the Asymptomatic Bacteriuria page for more information.

Prevention strategies for CAUTI in patients with a urinary catheter include:

  • Frequently ask your health care provider if the catheter is still needed
  • Clean hands before touching the catheter
  • Check the position of the urine bag, and make sure it is always below the level of the bladder
  • Do not tug or pull on the tubing
  • Do not twist or kink the catheter tubing

Prevention strategies for health care personnel include:

  • Insert catheters only for appropriate indications
  • Remove unnecessary catheters
  • Perform hand hygiene in compliance with CDC or WHO
  • Provide education on proper insertion and maintenance
  • Limit insertion of catheters to trained personnel
  • Insert catheters using aseptic technique and sterile equipment
  • Properly secure indwelling catheters after insertion to prevent movement and urethral traction
  • Maintain a closed drainage system
  • Remove catheter within 48 hours following surgical procedures or document reason for extended use
  • Implement and promote alternatives to indwelling urinary catheterization

CDC – Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

CDC/HICPAC – Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

CDC – NHSN Long-Term Care Facility Component Urinary Tract Infection

AHRQ – Toolkit for Reducing CAUTI in Hospitals

APIC – Guide to Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

ANA – CAUTI Prevention Tool

IHI – Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Acrobat Reader may be required to view these files.