Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection Basics

Key points

  • A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) occurs when germs enter the urinary tract through a urinary catheter and cause infection.
  • CAUTIs are one of the most common types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
  • They are preventable and treatable.

Overview

A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) occurs when germs enter the urinary tract through a urinary catheter and cause infection. They are one of the most common types of HAIs but are preventable and treatable.

Signs and symptoms

  • Burning or pain in the lower abdomen (i.e., below the stomach)
  • Fever
  • Burning while peeing
  • Peeing more frequently than usual

Risk factors

The most important risk factor for developing a CAUTI is prolonged use of a urinary catheter.

Causes

A CAUTI occurs when germs (usually bacteria) enter the body through a urinary catheter and cause infection. The infection can happen in any part of the urinary tract (e.g., kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra).

Reducing risk

Patients with a urinary catheter should:

  • Understand why they need it and frequently ask healthcare providers if the catheter is still needed.
  • If the patient has a long-term catheter, they must clean their hands before and after touching the catheter.
  • Check the position of the urine bag; it should always be below the level of the bladder.

Patients with a urinary catheter should not:

  • Tug or pull on the tubing.
  • Twist or kink the catheter tubing.

Healthcare workers and facilities can prevent CAUTIs and protect patients with proper infection control processes.

Keep Reading: Clinical Safety: Preventing Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs)

Quick facts

  • CAUTIs are one of the most common HAIs.
  • About 75% of UTIs developed in hospitals are associated with a urinary catheter.
  • 15-25% of hospitalized patients use urinary catheters.
  • CAUTIs are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and length of stay.

Types of catheters

  • Indwelling urinary catheter. A drainage tube is inserted into the bladder through the urethra, left in place and connected to a closed collection system.
  • Intermittent ("in-and-out") catheterization. Brief insertion of a catheter into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine followed by removal.
  • External catheter. A urine containment device is attached to a urinary drainage bag that fits over or adheres to the genitalia. The most used external catheter is a soft flexible sheath that fits over the penis ("condom" catheter).
  • Suprapubic catheter. Surgically inserted into the bladder through an incision in the lower abdomen.

Treatment and recovery

Most CAUTIs can be treated with antibiotics and/or removal or change of the catheter. The healthcare provider will determine the best treatment for each patient.

What CDC is doing

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)