NHSN Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract (CAUTI) Definition—Opportunity for Improvement

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common hospital-acquired infections; ~70%–80% are attributable to an indwelling urethral catheter. Daily risk of bacteriuria acquisition varies from 3% to 7% with a catheter. CAUTIs are associated with increased mortality, cost, and inappropriate treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria which promotes antimicrobial resistance and Clostridium difficile infection. NHSN CAUTI criteria is most commonly met when a patient has a positive urine culture and a fever. Although fever can be associated with many sources, it cannot be excluded from UTI determination even when attributable to another recognized source. Given the high prevalence of bacteriuria in catheterized patients and the many sources of fever, the NHSN definition lacks specificity. Objective: To better classify CAUTI using enhanced criteria to so that appropriate reduction efforts would be utilized. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate NHSN-defined CAUTIs from July 2017 to December 2018. Patients with NHSN defined CAUTI were evaluated to determine elements present to meet criteria. Overcaptured (O-CAUTIs) were defined as follows: (1) O-CAUTI 1, a positive culture with fever attributable to an infectious source; (2) O-CAUTI 2, a positive culture with fever attributable noninfectious source; (3) O-CAUTI 3, repeated positive cultures outside the RI period; (4) O-CAUTI 4, a positive culture with symptoms attributable to another source and no fever. Classifications were discussed with the medical and clinical leadership to determine appropriate opportunities for improvement. Results: Overall, 49 NHSN CAUTIs were identified with 11 of 49 (22%) being true CAUTIs and 38 of 49 (78%) O-CAUTI. O-CAUTI 1 was most common, with 17 of 38 (45%). The most frequent attributable source of fever for O-CAUTI 1 (infectious source) was respiratory (7 of 17, 59%) followed by gastrointestinal (6 of 17, 35%). Also, 14 of 38 (37%) were O-CAUTI 2. Central fever was the most frequent source of fever for the noninfectious source (9 of 14, 64%) followed by drug fever (2 of 14, 14%). Of 38 patients, 3 (8%) had both an infectious and noninfectious reason for fever (CAUTI 1 and 2); 4 patients had no fever. Furthermore, 2 were O-CAUTI 3 (repeat culture positive) and 2 were O-CAUTI 4 (1 with hematuria and renal cell carcinoma and 1 with dysuria without leukocytosis). Conclusions: NHSN CAUTI definitions capture UTIs and other events. In FY2018, there were no true CAUTIs in 5 of 12 months (42%). Also, 50% of CDC CAUTIs were not UTI but could lead to inappropriate antibiotic use. Reviewing only CAUTI reduction work in O-CAUTIs prevents the assessment of other appropriate opportunities for improvement.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None