Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections reported to NHSN. In the state of Tennessee, CAUTIs have been reportable from intensive care units (ICUs) in acute care hospitals (excluding critical access hospitals) since January 1, 2012. Medical, surgical and medical-surgical wards in acute care hospitals have been required to report since July 1st, 2014. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) began reporting CAUTIs from inpatient locations in October 2012. Monthly reporting of numerator and denominator data is ongoing in each location type unless otherwise specified.
For details on reporting requirements, please see the information provided below.
Which health care facilities need to report?
As of January 1, 2012, all hospitals, excluding critical access hospitals, regardless of average daily census are required to report. As of October 1, 2012, all inpatient rehabilitation facilities and all long-term acute care facilities must report.
Which units within these facilities must report information?
The following units are to provide the necessary information:
- All adult and pediatric ICUs (including burn and trauma) in acute care hospitals
- Medical, surgical, and medical-surgical wards (adult and pediatric)
- All inpatient locations for inpatient rehabilitation facilities and LTACs
What information must be reported?
Numerator data for catheter-associated urinary tract infections must meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) case definition.
Denominator data includes reporting patient days and urinary catheter (UC) days.
How should the information be reported?
Those who report must use the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) software application.
For more information see the following links
CAUTI Forms – Numerator
CAUTI Forms - Denominator
CDC Location and Descriptions