Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most common hospital-acquired infection. Recently there has been increased attention to this because hospitals will no longer be reimbursed by Medicare for costs associated with CAUTI. The mainstays of prevention of CAUTI include avoiding catheters when possible, limiting their use to the minimal time span necessary, and practicing sterile placement techniques and appropriate catheter care. Currently, a number of companies produce catheters with specific coatings-typically some type of silver alloy-to inhibit bacterial growth.
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