Date of Scholarly Project Submission

7-2018

Degree Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Faculty Chairperson

Lisa Flood

Second Committee Member

Melissa Romero

Third Committee Member

Theresa Durley

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) contribute to patient discomfort, complications, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and increased mortality (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2015). Despite the fact that these infections have proven to be preventable, CAUTI rates continue to exceed the national benchmark (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016a; Meddings et al., 2014). Evidence-based guidelines propose a bundle method is the most effective way to successfully reduce CAUTIs (AHRQ, 2015; Gould et al., 2017; Lo et al., 2014). The purpose of this research was to demonstrate whether a nurse-led collaborative, which bundled evidence-based interventions to reduce CAUTIs, was effective in reducing CAUTI rates at a rural Midwestern hospital. Additionally, nursing staff compliance with the bundled interventions following formal education was explored. A retrospective pretest-posttest design was utilized to review previously collected data related to CAUTI rates prior to and following implementation of a CAUTI bundle as well as nursing staff compliance with the interventions. CAUTI rates decreased from a mean of 1.63 to 0.67 per 1,000 catheter days. Additionally, there was a 5% reduction in catheter days. Nursing staff compliance increased steadily in the six months following staff education, with total compliance for all units exceeding 95%.

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