August
Urinary catheters are associated with higher UTI rates, longer hospital stays, and increased costs.1,2 And up to 80% of nosocomial UTIs come from indwelling urinary catheter use.3
CDC Guidelines (II-H) updated in 2009 indicate, “Consider using a portable ultrasound device…to reduce unnecessary catheter insertions.” Further information on this guideline is available at CDC Website.
BladderScan® ultrasound instruments noninvasively measure bladder volume accurately and reliably. They are easy for staff to use and no sonographer is required. They can help reduce catheterizations, the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and the complications that can result.
References: 1. Saint S, Lipsky BA. Preventing catheter-related bacteriuria: Should we? Can we? How? Arch Intern Med. 1999;159(8):800-808. 2. Cox CE. Nosocomial urinary tract infections. Urology. 1988;32(3):210-215. 3. Saint S, Kowalski CP, Kaufman SR, et al. Preventing hospital-acquired urinary tract infection in the United States: a national study. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(2):243-250.