Infections in catheters, known as catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), are a major health concern worldwide. Catheters, while necessary for many medical procedures, also provide a pathway for microorganisms to enter the body, resulting in infections that can be serious if not treated swiftly. CAUTIs are caused when bacteria or other pathogens move through the catheter tube and into the bladder or urinary tract. These infections are a prevalent healthcare-associated illness (HAI), affecting people who have to be catheterized for lengthy periods of time, such as hospitalized patients, the elderly, or people with particular medical problems. CAUTI symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may include fever, lower abdominal discomfort or pain, urinary urgency or frequency, murky or foul-smelling urine, and, in more severe cases, chills or disorientation. A CAUTI is often diagnosed by testing a urine sample to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection. In order to reduce the danger of bacterial colonization and eventual infection in catheters, certain standards must be followed. To reduce the entry of infections, healthcare workers use stringent aseptic practices during catheter insertion, ensuring cleanliness and using sterile equipment. Furthermore, healthcare practitioners follow criteria for removing catheters when they are no longer needed, lowering the duration of catheterization and, as a result, the risk of infection. Various techniques are used to reduce the incidence of CAUTIs, such as proper hand cleanliness by healthcare personnel, keeping a closed drainage system for catheters, and providing adequate fluid intake by patients to support regular urine flow and flushing of the urinary tract. Antibiotic medication targeted to the individual bacteria causing the infection is frequently used to treat CAUTIs. Catheter removal may be required in some circumstances to aid recovery and prevent further difficulties. Overall, preventing catheter infections requires a multidimensional approach that includes rigorous insertion skills, commitment to infection control practices, timely catheter removal, and rapid treatment of any discovered infections. Effective management not only decreases patient suffering and consequences, but it also lessens the burden of these infections on healthcare systems and resources.
