Breakthrough technology of wearable low-frequency Ultrasound is having a significant impact in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract Infections (CAUTI) in patients with long term indwelling urinary catheters. Lydie Whiteley, BSc. (Hons), product manager at Ideal Medical Solutions reports.
Catheter-associated urinary tract Infections (CAUTI) are extremely virulent bacterial infections which are very difficult to treat and eradicate. With a 5% cumulative increased risk of bacteriuria per day of a fitted catheter, we can assume that within one month of having a catheter, a patient has developed some form of a bacterial infection.1
Many approaches have been tried but, to date, there has been no reliable solution in preventing initial or recurrent CAUTI incidence in catheterised patients. With around 90,000 people in the UK living with a long-term indwelling catheter2 and CAUTI bacteraemia being responsible for a 13 to 33% mortality rate,3 it has never been more crucial to address this issue.
CAUTI are the most common cause of gram-negative bacteraemia in hospitalised patients and are responsible for 40% of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).4 Some of the most common pathogens to cause CAUTI include Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Candida species, which can be obtained externally by the handling of the catheter and the drainage system.
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