3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This study proposes to expand upon previous research by studying the effects of a urinary-catheter removal alert on duration of urinary catheter use and frequency of CAUTIs with a large, randomized controlled trial within a three-hospital academic medical center. Hypothesis The proposed urinary-catheter removal alerts will decrease the number of catheter days and decrease the number of catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), but will not affect the catheter re-insertion rate.
Overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) is a quality, safety, and cost issue, particularly as unnecessary antibiotics lead to emergence of resistant pathogens. The investigators' proposal to bring clinical practice in line with published guidelines has significant potential to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use for ABU in the VA healthcare system, thus improving the quality and safety of veterans' healthcare. The investigators' study will also provide important insights about how to implement and sustain evidence-based clinical practice within VA hospitals.
This prospective, randomized, controlled trial will compare the incidence of nosocomial infections (composite of primary bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections) that occur in intensive care unit (ICU) patients bathed with 2% chlorhexidine solution versus patients who receive standard bathing (soap and water or non-medicated cloths).