Children’s hospital cuts CAUTIs to zero

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta addressed gaps to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in its 56-bed pediatric intensive care unit, resulting in a sustained rate of zero CAUTIs for more than a year. Published in Critical Care Nurse, the study details how an interprofessional task force implemented an advanced indwelling urinary catheter drainage system, eliminated diapers and re-educated staff and parents to address persistent CAUTI challenges. The CAUTI baseline rate was 3.13 per 1,000 catheter days, with four events and an average of 92 days between events. At the end of the four-year reporting period in 2023, the PICU achieved a rate of zero per 1,000 catheter days, with 527 event-free days. The authors believe other pediatric and adult critical care settings could replicate its approach. (Newswise news release, 7/28/25)