Art and Design Commons^™

Color-Changing Device To Improve Adherence To Foley Catheter Replacement Protocols And Reduce Urinary Tract Infection Frequency, Kurt Hill, Alexander Straus, Ms, Bryn Cross, Jason M. Fields, Md

Phase 1

Background: Foley catheter-associated UTI’s (CAUTI’s) represent a driving cause of cystitis, bacteremia and sepsis in the hospital setting. Accordingly, the CDC has identified prolonged indwelling time as the foremost risk factor for CAUTI’s. However, the fundamental design of the Foley has remained unchanged for over eighty years. Hospital-specific protocols do currently exist for the removal of infection-prone catheters; however, in practice it remains commonplace for catheters to be ignored, increasing the risk of life-threatening infection. Our design process addressed this by creating a color-changing alarm device that would alert providers when a catheter has been left in beyond protocol, is …

Color-Changing Device To Improve Adherence To Foley Catheter Replacement Protocols And Reduce Urinary Tract Infection Frequency, Alexander Straus, Ms, Kurt Hill, Bryn Cross, Jason M. Fields, Md

Phase 1

Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a major source of patient morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings and have a significant financial impact on the healthcare system. Many hospitals have clinical protocols in place to continually reassess the necessity of indwelling foley catheters and remove them if their use is no longer warranted. However, it is still common for indwelling foley catheters to be overlooked and remain in place, even after meeting criteria for removal. A design project was conducted that sought to improve adherence to clinical protocols, and reduce frequency of CAUTIs, by creating a color-changing device …

Color Changing Device To Improve Adherence To Foley Catheter Replacement Protocols And Reduce Urinary Tract Infection Frequency, Bryn Cross, Kurt Hill, Alexander Straus, Ms, Jason M. Fields, Md

Phase 1

Background: Millions of hospital-acquired UTI’s are caused by indwelling urinary catheters. The longer a catheter is left in, the greater the risk for infection. Catheters are often left in longer than necessary because physicians are not aware of them or the original indications for placement are not reevaluated. We hypothesize our device will draw attention to indwelling catheters and prompt re-evaluation and removal if necessary.

Methods: We will design a light strip that can be attached to the catheter bag and will turn on to blue after 5 days of placement and purple after 8 days. This will call the …