Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

A catheter is used to drain urine from the bladder and is common during a hospital stay. The catheter must be properly cleaned. Otherwise, it can cause a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) – an infection in any part of your urinary system, such as the kidneys or bladder caused by the catheter.

Our team follows proper catheter maintenance practices, including daily monitoring of the indwelling urinary catheters for prompt removal.

Graph showing the decreasing rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) from fiscal year 2012 through fiscal year 2024

Graph displays fiscal year data
 

What you can do to help:

  • Remind anyone who is around the patient – visitors, medical staff, etc. to clean their hands and sanitize
  • Clean your hands before and after you touch your child
  • Keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder
  • Keep your drainage bag off the floor at all times
  • Don't lie on your catheter or block the flow of urine in the tubing
  • Shower daily to keep the catheter clean

Parents and families are an important part of a child’s care team

Learn more about your role