LAUSR

Abstract Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is an avoidable iatrogenic infection. The aim of this single-center, cross-sectional study is to determine awareness of the presence of urinary catheters to prevent CAUTI. Methods Providers (Interns, residents, service and private attendings) were randomly asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the presence of urinary catheters in a total of 109 patients under their care over a two-month period on inpatient general medicine floor (GMF) and intensive care unit (ICU). The awareness of catheterization among the different groups was calculated. Results (see table) 93 GMF and 16 ICU patients were evaluated by a total of 30 providers. 96.7% of interns/residents were correctly aware of catheters, as were 97.9% of service hospitalists. Only 63.6 % of private attendings were correct about the urinary catheters. Overall hospital service teams demonstrated good knowledge of catheterized patients. Conclusion Physician awareness is the first step in the prevention of CAUTI. We postulate that our hospital teams may be more cognizant of catheter presence because of frequent inter-disciplinary team interactions. Further study is needed to asses for continued interventions and education for frequent voiding trials, interdisciplinary rounds and daily assessment of catheter necessity/timely removal, which are integral parts of the CAUTI prevention bundle. Provider Unaware of
presence
of catheter Erroneously believed catheter present Correct response Total correct Location GMF ICU GMF ICU GMF ICU Intern 01/82 N/A 01/82 N/A 80/82 N/A 97.5 % Resident 00/82 01/16 02/82 01/16 80/82 14/16 95.9 % Service Hospitalist 00/82 01/16 00/82 01/16 82/82 14/16 97.9 % Private Attending 2/11 N/A 2/11 N/A 7/11 N/A 63.6 % Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.