Using evidence-based guidelines to reduce catheter related urinary tract infections in England

Acquiring a healthcare associated infection (HCAI) in hospital remains a significant threat to patient safety, and catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) account for the majority of these infections. This review focuses on the complementary and continuing influence of central policy, evidence for practice, and educational support on strategies to reduce the incidence of CAUTI in the National Health Service (NHS). The development of the Department of Health's (DH) national guidelines for preventing HCAI (the `epic' guidelines) (Pratt et al, 2001, 2007) became the evidence base for the development of the DH Saving Lives strategy (DH, 2007). This initiative provides the tools and resources for NHS trusts to embed clinically effective HCAI prevention and control measures into everyday practice that are applied consistently to everyone. The national guidelines are also providing the evidence base for various educational initiatives designed to support guideline implementation, including the NHS Core Learning Unit's (CLU) Infection Control Programme.