Preventing nosocomial urinary tract infection: catheters and techniques

Nosocomial urinary tract infection is the most typical device-associated infections. Although, it is the most frequent nosocomial infection, its prevention has not been a strong priority for health care workers because of its relative mildness. But multiresistant bacteria have emerged, because of the frequency of NUTIs, associated to the selective pressure of antibiotic therapy. This urinary reservoir is a potential source of endogenous complication and cross transmission in wards. Except for closed drainage system, the efficacy of preventive measures has not been well documented because of the varying importance of risk factors in the studied populations and the use of different criteria for evaluation. Using data provided by these trials is subject to caution and requires stratification according to risk factors (sex, duration of catheterism) and analyzing misleading factors such as antibiotic treatment. Preventives measures are reviewed. (C) 2003 Editions scientiliques et medicales Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.