Healthcare Policy and Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections

An increase in Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) has prompted the development of infection control protocols in healthcare settings and changes in healthcare policy. The intention of these program and policy changes is to decrease the incidence of CAUTI and improve patient outcomes. Provisions in the American Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and the Reduction Act of 2005 created the foundation for government funded reimbursement to be limited for healthcare associated infections. Since the establishment of this healthcare policy, interventions with the greatest impact on CAUTI rates have been identified through evidence-based research. Enacted healthcare policies for limiting reimbursement for CAUTI events has had an overall positive effect on the hospitalized patient population by deceasing CAUTI rates.