AHRQ-Funded Researchers Outline Methods To Reduce Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Homes

Improving hand hygiene, reducing and improving catheter use, managing incontinence without catheters and increasing use of gloves and gowns appear to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in nursing home residents, according to AHRQ-funded research. An article recently published in Journal of Hospital Medicinereviewed strategies to reduce CAUTIs among nursing home residents and found that many of these strategies, often implemented in bundles, could reduce UTIs, CAUTIs and catheter use. The article’s authors were part of a larger team that helped develop AHRQ’s Toolkit To Reduce CAUTI and Other HAIs in Long-Term Care Facilities. Access the abstract.