Date of Graduation

Summer 8-13-2026

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

MSN project

First Advisor

Jennifer Zesati

Abstract

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and length of stay and is one of the most common healthcare-acquired illnesses accounting for up to 40% of hospital-acquired infections (Rubi et al., 2022). Because 65-70% of CAUTIs are preventable, reducing the incidence has become a focus area for infection control and nursing quality management among hospital organizations (Tang et al. 2025). CAUTIs are urinary tract infections that occur in patients with indwelling urinary catheters and are typically associated with bacterial colonization of the urinary tract. The aim of this QI Project is to increase nursing knowledge of evidence-based urinary catheter care maintenance and urinary catheter management practices through targeted educational interventions across five adult inpatient cardiovascular and critical care units within an urban acute care hospital. The project will be implemented over a 10-week period, beginning May 26, 2026, and concluding August 3, 2026 with the goal of increasing average knowledge and confidence by 20% representing an improvement in nursing knowledge and supporting evidence-based urinary catheter management practices to reduce the risk of CAUTIs. The intervention included creating reinterpretations of existing bundles in conjunction with providing targeted nurse-led education sessions over a two-week period. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed knowledge and confidence. Results were compared to analyze intervention effectiveness. Nurse knowledge and confidence improved by 6.1% overall, with the highest improvement seen in dependent loop identification and the bladder scanning protocol timeline. In-service education sessions did increase nurse knowledge and confidence in catheter care and urinary maintenance. Continued reinforcement of protocols is recommended for further improvement in efforts to reduce CAUTIs.

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