None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Indwelling urinary catheters are commonly used in healthcare facilities, with foundation work by two investigators indicating that 26% of patients admitted to an Australian hospital receive an indwelling urinary catheter and 1% of these patients develop catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Healthcare associated urinary tract infections (HAUTIs), including CAUTIs have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, higher hospital costs for patients and health systems. In Australia, an estimated 380,000 bed days are lost each year due to HAUTIs, a large proportion of which are CAUTIs. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), specifically CAUTIs are associated with higher risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making the treatment of patients difficult and compounding the effects of AMR when treatment is provided. A recent high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly addressed the issue of increasing AMR. This further emphasises the need to develop interventions to reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. Despite advances in infection prevention and control, CAUTIs remain problematic, hence further research is needed to identify ways to reduce the burden they create. The greatest risk factor for CAUTIs is prolonged catheterisation, with catheters often placed unnecessarily, lacking documented reasons for insertion, and catheters remaining in place too long and not being promptly removed. Interventions that prompt removal of unnecessary catheters may therefore enhance patient safety. A reminder intervention is a mechanism used to remind either a physician or nurse that the catheter is still in place and that removal may be warranted if the catheter is no longer required. The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic reminder system – the CATH TAG – to reduce urinary catheter use.
Interventions
The CATH TAG is an electronic device that adhesively attaches to the catheter bag. It has a non-intrusive green light that flashes intermittently for a period of 24 hours upon activation. After 24 hours the green flashing light changes to red, flashing with increased rapidity and visibility. The light will flash red for 4 hours and subsequently change back to green, slower flashing, restarting the cycle. The red flashing light is an indication for the nurse to reassess the need for a urinary cat
The CATH TAG is an electronic device that adhesively attaches to the catheter bag. It has a non-intrusive green light that flashes intermittently for a period of 24 hours upon activation. After 24 hours the green flashing light changes to red, flashing with increased rapidity and visibility. The light will flash red for 4 hours and subsequently change back to green, slower flashing, restarting the cycle. The red flashing light is an indication for the nurse to reassess the need for a urinary catheter and remove it when it is no longer required. This circle will continue for 10 days and then change permanently to the red flashing light to indicate that the battery of the CATH TAG is exhausted. There is no option for nurses to manipulate the flashing light or amend the circle.
Sponsors
Avondale College of Higher Education
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
2 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
The hospital must meet the following inclusion criteria: 1. Must have an intensive care unit 2. Must have at least ten wards 3. More than 30,000 patient admissions per year Potential wards and units eligible for inclusion are medical wards, surgical wards and intensive care units. All hospitalized patients, admitted to a ward eligible for inclusion in the study, who require a urinary catheter as part of their usual care will be included in the study. All nurses, who have worked on an intervention ward (i.e. who have worked with the CATH TAG), will be invited to participate in the survey and focus group.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria for hospitals Hospitals will be excluded from the study if they do not meet any of the inclusion criteria. Day-stay units and psychiatric wards will be excluded. Neonates (<2 years old) may be excluded if the CATH TAG is too large for the catheter tubing or interferes with patient care.
Outcome results
None listed