The effect of daily change of sterile urinary bag on bacteriuria and catheter–associated urinary tract infections

Introduction: One of the major healthcare measures in hospitals, is reducing the risk of infections. Since catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) occur in 80% of cases, the prevention of these infections plays an important role in reducing infections related to the treatment care. Objectives: The present study aims to determine the effect of daily change of sterile urinary bag on the incidence of bacteriuria and CA-UTIs. Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental study include all patients referred to the neurology, urology and surgery wards, as well as the ICU and CCU of Hajar and Kashani hospitals, Shahrekord, Iran. A total of 200 patients aged 18-75 years that required insertion of the urinary Foley catheter were divided into two groups: catheterization with the usual method (control group) and catheterization with daily change of sterile urinary bag (case group). In each of the two groups, immediately after insertion and during the removal of urethral catheter, the urine sample was collected using sterile method and was sent to the laboratory to conduct examinations for bacteriuria. The demographic information was prepared and collected using the researcher made questionnaire. Results: In this study, the average age of the patients was 49.81 ± 15.11. The rate of CA-UTI was more in the control group than the case group (29% as compared with 16%) (P = 0.04). The average age of patients with infection due to urethral catheterization was found to be higher (55.4 ± 14.52 versus 48.4 ± 14.92) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: While a preference for closed drainage system existed, however in the present study, it was found that with daily change of sterile urinary bag even with opening of system, the rate of CA-UTI was reduced.