February
Urinary catheters are associated with higher UTI rates, longer hospital stays, and increased costs.1,2 And up to 80% of nosocomial UTIs come from indwelling urinary catheter use.3
New 2009 CDC Guidelines (II-H) indicate, “Consider using a portable ultrasound device…to reduce unnecessary catheter insertions.” Further information on this guideline is available at CDC Website.
BladderScan® ultrasound instruments noninvasively measure bladder volume accurately and reliably. They are easy for staff to use and no sonographer is required. They can help reduce catheterizations, the rate of catheter-associated UTIs and the complications that can result.
References: 1. Saint S, Lipsky BA. “Preventing Catheter-Related Bacteriuria: Should We? Can We? How?” Archives of Internal Medicine. 159 (26 April 1999): 800-808. 2. Cox CE. Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections. Urology. 32 (Sept. 1988) 3:210-214. 3. Saint S, Kowalski CP, Kaufman SR, Hofer TP, Kauffman CA, et al. Preventing Hospital-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection in the United States: A National Study. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2008: 46; 243-56. 4. Moore DA, Edwards K. “Using a Portable Bladder Scan to Reduce the Incidence of Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections.” Medsurg Nursing. 1997, 6 (1), 39-43.