Urinary tract infections, usually introduced by catheters, account for up to 30% of all hospital-acquired infections, although the fewest number of infection-related deaths are attributable to urinary tract infections.
As their name indicates, UTIs are infections of the urinary tract. They may be caused by bacteria or fungus (candida.) They may also be called something different depending on the part of the urinary tract in which the infection resides:
- Bladder infections are also called cystitis
- Kidney infections, in one or both kidneys, are also called pyelonephritis
In healthy adults, UTIs are not difficult to fight, and may present only mild symptoms, if any.
But in adults whose immune systems are compromised (including the elderly), those with chronic conditions like diabetes, or those who have had surgery, UTIs can be much more difficult to manage or cure. Hospital patients are very likely to be immunocompromised, and therefore, urinary tract infections can become more dangerous for them.
In hospitals, most UTIs are introduced by urinary catheters that have either been left in the body for too long, or because bacteria on the catheter itself have used the catheter as a straight line into the body.
To prevent catheter-associated UTIs, it is recommended that very stringent sanitary steps be followed when inserting the catheter. Guidelines for the long-term use of catheters in patients depend on the reason for catheter insertion, but suggest the catheter either be removed permanently in a short period of time, or replaced periodically in order to prevent infections that stem from long-term catheter use.
Smart patients, caregivers, and advocates know to ask questions about any catheters that must be inserted, and to take the steps necessary to prevent hospital acquired infections.
Learn about additional infections hospital patients must be concerned about:
- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Clostridium difficile (C. Diff)
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
- Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP)
- Necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh-eating bacterial disease
- Central line infections (while these are not superbugs, they are one mode of entry for these infectious agents)
- Sepsis and septicemia of the blood
Also, learn about preventing hospital infections.
Sources:
Urinary tract infection - adults from the National Institutes of Health
Catheter-associated UTI from the National Institutes of Health
Urinary tract infection associated with urethral catheters from Up To Date
Economic burden of healthcare-associated infections: an American perspective from PubMed
