IMPACT OF CATHETER ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS IN LAHORE

Abstract

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common hospital-acquired infections worldwide. They occur due to prolonged or improper use of indwelling urinary catheters and contribute significantly to patient morbidity, extended hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and antibiotic use.

Introduction: Among the various HAIs, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most frequently reported, accounting for approximately 30–40% of all hospital-acquired infections worldwide. A substantial proportion of these infections are directly related to the use of indwelling urinary catheters, leading to the condition known as Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CA-UTI).

Objectives

To determine the frequency of CAUTIs in hospitalized patients and to assess the clinical and healthcare impact of CAUTIs, including length of hospital stay and complications.

Methodology: This Cross- sectional study will be conducted in Shalamar Hospital Lahore. A total number of patients were included in the study is 138 patients with inclusion criteria was patients presented with patients who develop signs and/or symptoms of urinary tract infection (e.g., fever, dysuria, suprapubic pain, cloudy or foul-smelling urine) after catheter insertion, or who meet laboratory criteria for CAUTI. Non-probability convenient sampling technique were used. Data collection was performed through questionnaire and analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.

Result: The study concludes that catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is an important concern among hospitalized patients, with 18.1% showing positive urine cultures. The risk of culture positivity was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.021) and, more importantly, with longer hospital stay (p < 0.001).

E. coli was the most frequently isolated organism, while 10.1% of patients had MDR organisms, indicating the importance of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.

Overall, proper catheter insertion, regular catheter care, and early removal of unnecessary catheters are important measures to reduce CAUTI and its associated complications in hospitalized patients.