A Technology Intervention for Nurses Engaged in Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections account for 40% of healthcare-acquired infections. This study explored the addition of cloud-based software technology to an established nursing quality improvement program to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Unit-based nurse champions evaluated peers' evidence-based catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention practices using manual, paper-based feedback. That process achieved reduced rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection over 18 months. However, it was resource intensive. Cloud-based software technology was introduced to replace the paper. Nurse champions' satisfaction, catheter-associated urinary tract infection and indwelling urinary catheter utilization, and prevention practices were compared before and after the technology intervention. Compliance with the provision of a chlorhexidine bath demonstrated improvement (P = .003), while other practice measures did not significantly change. The indwelling urinary catheter utilization ratio was lower (P = .01), yet the intervention yielded no change in catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. The short time interval of the intervention was potentially a contributing factor in no significant rate change. Nurse champions (N = 14) were more satisfied with the cloud-based technology (P = .004), the clarity of improvement targets (P = .004), and the speed of sharing data (P = .001). Their time to share data decreased from 4 days or more to 1 hour or less. Nurse champions readily adopted the cloud-based technology. These findings suggest additional research on technology innovations for nursing quality improvement is needed. The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this article. Corresponding author: Kathleen Rea, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, PCCN, CNL, University of Virginia Health System, Box 801442, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908 (kmj6d@virginia.edu). Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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