Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Surgical Patients Undergoing Short-Term Catheterization at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Background: Urinary catheters pose a potential risk of introducing infections in the urinary system. We aim to assess the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in surgical patients, observe catheterization practices, identify risk factors, and explore preventive measures to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of CAUTI. Methods: This retrospective study analyzes patient records from a tertiary care institute, examining demographics, catheterization duration, underlying health conditions, and microbial profiles. Results: A total of 198 patients admitted to our surgical ward underwent catheterization, of which 121 met the inclusion criteria (54 males, 67 females). Twelve patients (8 female, 4 male) developed positive urine cultures on day 3 of catheterization, with 10 experiencing UTI symptoms. The most common organism isolated was E. coli (7/12), followed by Klebsiella sp. (2/19), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1/19), Enterococcus sp. (1/12), and Staphylococcus aureus (1/19). Conclusion: CAUTI is a cause for significant patient morbidity during hospital stay, incurring heavy costs on the patients, hospitals and also placing unnecessary burden on government. insurance schemes. Proper preventive measures and personnel training is necessary to reduce the morbidity associated with urinary catheters and improve patient care.