[Assessing the impact of bladder ultrasound on catheter-associated urinary tract infections and health-care costs: an observational pre-post study]

. Assessing the impact of bladder ultrasound on catheter-associated urinary tract infections and health-care costs: an observational pre-post study.

INTRODUCTION

The placement of a urinary catheter is a standard procedure, but it can cause discomfort, increase the risk of infections and costs. Pelvic ultrasound is a non-invasive assessment of the bladder and bladder catheter placement that can be performed by nurses.

AIM

To assess the appropriateness of urinary catheter placement using bladder ultrasound, to monitor urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infections and costs associated with catheter use.

METHODS

A single-centre pre-post observational study was conducted from September 2021 to August 2022 in patients aged >18 years requiring urinary monitoring; the first 6 months patients were assessed without the use of bladder ultrasound (control group), while the last 6 months with bladder ultrasound.

RESULTS

189 patients were included in the pre-ultrasound group and 175 patients in the post-ultrasound group; the demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were comparable. The rate of inappropriate catheterisation was 22.6% in the pre-group, whereas no inappropriate catheterisation was performed in the post-group. There was a 2.2% of absolute reduction in the rate of urinary tract infections (from 8.5% to 6.3%). Costs associated with the use of urinary catheters were reduced by 74.2% (from 173 to 44.8 euros).

CONCLUSIONS

Bladder ultrasound in clinical practice is feasible and reduced the inappropriate use of bladder catheters, reducing patient risks and healthcare costs.