A 22% Decrease in Foley Catheter Utilization Rates Improves Patient Care in an Intensive Coronary Care Unit

The organization initiated a project identified by the Infection Control Committee to reduce Foley catheter days or prevent catheter use entirely in order to eliminate urinary tract infections. Previously, insertion of a Foley catheter was standard procedure for admission to the intensive coronary care unit (ICCU). A partnership was established between nurses and physicians to identify and initiate specific criteria for the use of Foley catheters. These criteria were used to screen patients upon admission and daily thereafter to determine if a Foley catheter was necessary and discontinue use where appropriate. Order sets and monitoring systems were altered to support the physicians, staff and process enhancements.

The project has resulted in a 22 percent decrease in the utilization of Foley catheter days for ICCU patients from a rate of 0.73 to 0.57.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim—improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/