Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections: standardising practice.

Inspired by innovations in catheter practice from the USA, in 2014 Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust introduced catheterisation standardisation across the Trust's two acute sites. Standardisation was achieved by the introduction of an all-in one catheterisation tray (Bard Tray), which included all the necessary equipment required for catheterisation, coupled with a training programme. The introduction of the tray was followed by a clinically significant 80% reduction in the CAUTI rate from 2014 to 2016. This reduction in CAUTI rate provided the Trust with a considerable reduction on annual expenditure (nearly £160 000 less in 2016 compared with 2014). The introduction of the tray has additionally improved practice with nursing staff now less likely to forget the necessary equipment before commencing catheterisation as all the components are provided in one place.