AUA White Paper on Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Definitions and Significance in the Urological Patient

Introduction: Catheter associated urinary tract infections are widely recognized as the most common health care associated infection in the acute care hospital setting.

Methods: Experts have reviewed the literature on catheter associated urinary tract infections in urological patients. Where the literature was lacking, expert opinion was used to build recommendations which may be useful to the urological community.

Results: In this white paper we address limitations surrounding how and when current definitions can be used to detect a catheter associated urinary tract infection in a urological patient, and propose alternative methods for diagnosing catheter associated urinary tract infection in specific populations, including geriatric, neurogenic bladder and lower urinary tract reconstruction. Techniques to avoid catheter associated urinary tract infections through proper urethral catheterization and alternatives to indwelling catheters for urological patients are also discussed.

Conclusions: Patients with urological disorders have specific concerns relating to catheter associated urinary tract infections. A review of the available literature as well as common clinical practice provides directives for the treatment of these patients in a specific and distinctive fashion to reduce the risk of infection. By understanding the needs and technical modifications necessary in these patients, hospital systems and practitioners can limit patient exposure to catheter associated urinary tract infections.