NURSING IN THE PREVENTION OF CATHETER-ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) constitute one of the primary challenges for patient safety and the quality of hospital care, with catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) being the most frequent type. This study aims to analyze nursing interventions in the prevention of urinary tract infections related to urinary catheters through an integrative literature review. This is an applied bibliographic review with a qualitative approach, using searches in the Google Scholar, SciELO, and LILACS databases with the following descriptors: Urinary Tract Infections; Urinary Catheterization; Catheter-Related Infections; Critical Care Nursing. It is observed that qualified nursing care in the management of indwelling urinary catheters constitutes the main barrier against the colonization and ascent of pathogens, with daily evaluation for the early removal of the device being the most effective strategy to interrupt the chain of infection. It is noted that the implementation of management tools, such as bundles, checklists, and the support of digital technologies, significantly reduces care variability and raises patient safety standards, especially in critical care environments.