SILVER ALLOY CATHETER

Silver Alloy Catheter

[Writers Name]

[Institute's Name]

Table of Contents

Summary3

Introduction4

Background of the Study4

Antimicrobial-Coated Catheters4

Purpose of the Study7

Literature Review8

Route Of Infection12

Anticipated Results19

Implications For Practice20

Conclusion22

Assessment Of Study Quality23

References24

Silver Alloy Catheter

Summary

Background

Catheter associated urinary tract infections remain a persistent challenge in healthcare practice.

Aim

To establish whether silver alloy urinary catheters reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections compared with standard silicone or latex urinary catheters in short-term hospitalised adult patients.

Method

Analysis of different studies.

Results

A consistent pattern emerged that supported the effectiveness of silver alloy urinary catheters over uncoated catheters to reduce infections in adult patients.

Conclusion

Changing practice to use silver alloy catheters would have a significant impact on patient care.

Introduction

Background of the Study

Patients with urinary catheters are at an increased risk of infection

Catheters reduce the body's natural ability to cleanse the urinary tract of microorganisms

Bacteria can be free-floating or can colonise into biofilms that attach themselves to the catheter surface and may cause catheter blockage

Biofilms can develop a resistance to antibiotics

Silver alloy urinary catheters can reduce biofilm formation and colonisation by releasing silver ions into the urinary tract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain a persistent challenge in healthcare practice (Madeo et al, 2009; Pratt et al, 2007). While there are numerous infection prevention strategies intended t0 reduce CAUTI rates, there is room for improvement.

It is widely known these infections often result in poor outcomes for patients, such as a longer stay in hospital, as well as the associated costs incurred by healthcare organisations.

Antimicrobial-Coated Catheters

In patients with short-term indwelling urethral catheterization, antimicrobial (silver alloy or antibiotic)—coated urinary catheters may be considered to reduce or delay the onset of CA-bacteriuria. (Category B-II).

Use of Technology as Process Intervention in Prevention of CAUTI

It is well known that biofilms containing microorganisms can develop intraluminally or extraluminally in urinary catheters. A technological innovation that may prevent biofilm formation is a logical goal for reducing risk of CAUTI.

A study performed at the Nebraska Medical Center looked at infection outcomes associated with the implementation of a silver alloy/hydrogel-coated urinary catheter. The study observed a significant decline in CAUTI rates.

A randomized crossover trial involving silver-coated catheters also demonstrated a decline in infection outcomes among those receiving the coated catheter. The risk of infection declined by 21% among study wards randomized to silver-coated catheters, and by 32% among patients in whom silver-coated catheters were used on the wards.

Patients with urinary catheters are at an increased risk of infection. These catheters are inserted into the bladder via the urethra (urethral catheterisation), or through the abdominal wall (suprapubic catheterisation), so essentially the body treats them as a foreign element.

The body's natural ability to cleanse the urinary tract of microorganisms is reduced because the passage of urine does not flush the urinary tract when a urinary catheter is in situ. This reduction in natural defences increases the risk of micro-organisms entering the bladder through the external (extraluminal) or internal (intraluminal) surfaces of the catheter. Males often develop CAUTIs via the intraluminal route, whereas infection tends to develop through the extraluminal route in females due to the difference in ...