Discussion:
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, patients with indwelling catheters are at higher risk for developing a hospital-acquired urinary tract infection known as catheter-associated urinary tract infection(CAUTI). Even though I'm working in a long- term care, but there tend to be an issue with such infections. These infections are painful and uncomfortable to patients. Many patients are sometimes treated with antibiotic for the infection. Patients with catheters must be reevaluated for the urinary catheter use, if no longer needed, then it should be removed.
Catheters are sometimes placed prior to a procedure, but they should be removed immediately post the procedure to prevent infection. Catheters should not stay longer than needed. Many patients may refuse to have their catheter removed because they may prefer to keep it in place for their own convenience. However, that should not be the case and as nurses, we must educate patients on the importance of removing catheters, if there's no justification for its use.
Patient education is important, the infection control nurse monitor patients with urinary catheters, also she educate the staff on proper catheter care, peri-care, and most importantly handwashing to prevent the spread of infection. Cleaning our hands before giving care is the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection and to keep patients from getting these infections. Patients, and visitors are encouraged to wash their hands in addition to the hand washing we have hand sanitizer machines that are located throughout the facility, for use by staff, patients, and visitors. There has not been no urinary tract infection for the month of November. We must continue to educate and keep our patients safe and free of infection.