Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Implementing a Protocol to Decrease Incidence in Oncology Populations

BACKGROUND: The impact of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) on immunocompromised patients with cancer requires preventive intervention from bedside nurses.
. OBJECTIVES: This protocol aims to prevent CAUTIs in the inpatient oncology population by implementing an evidence-based, nurse-driven protocol for discontinuing indwelling urinary catheters (IUCs).
. METHODS: Following a literature review of 34 articles, a nurse-driven CAUTI prevention protocol was developed and implemented on two 26-bed oncology units. Unit staff were educated on the protocol and use of the audit tool.
. FINDINGS: Although CAUTI rates remained unchanged, infections per 1,000 IUC days decreased, and adherence among oncology nurses rose 66%-90% within the first two months. The protocol encouraged preventive intervention from RNs to protect patients with cancer from CAUTIs.