Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

A catheter-associated urinary tract infection, or CAUTI, is a type of infection in the urinary system (e.g., urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidney) associated with the use of a urinary catheter. A urinary catheter is a thin tube placed in the bladder through the urethra to drain urine. It is often used in healthcare settings if a patient is having surgery, experiencing urinary incontinence or retention, or to improve comfort for end of life care.

My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene
Focus on caring for a patient with a Urinary Catheter

For more information please visit https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/infection-prevention-control/hand-hygiene.

Page reviewed and updated: February 2024