CAUTI and you! You know the drill—a resident is admitted to your center with orders for antipsychotic medication and an indwelling urinary catheter. It’s hard to believe we’re still seeing this, but here we are. The use of indwelling urinary catheters (IUCs), which are placed in up to 16% of patients during hospitalization, continues to result in catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). And here’s the kicker: the longer the catheter stays in, the greater the risk of CAUTI becomes—every single day.

Risk factors for CAUTI include female anatomy, aging-related changes in the genitourinary tract, pregnancy, poor nutrition, fecal incontinence, illness severity, paraplegia, and—most critically—catheter duration. So how do we reduce the risk? Avoid unnecessary catheter use. Only insert IUCs when strict clinical criteria are met, such as with obstructive uropathy or neurogenic bladder. When appropriate, consider external catheters instead. Limit IUC duration. And always follow aseptic technique during insertion and management.

To truly make a difference, each center should have a customized CAUTI prevention program that reflects its resident population. Your multidisciplinary team can start by conducting a risk assessment to identify what needs to be addressed most urgently. The good news? The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) offers a practical guide for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection. It’s comprehensive, realistic, and designed for everyone involved in resident care—not just infection preventionists.

Reducing CAUTI takes teamwork, foresight, and accountability. But the tools and knowledge are there—and the difference you can make is worth it.

Stay well and stay informed!