Evidence showed that there was a low (ten per cent) compliance with antibiotic guidelines and urinary catheters were left in-situ for greater than 24 hours for 60 per cent of patients at Orange Health Service.
The aim of the initiative was to completely remove un-removed urinary catheters within 24 hours and for 90 per cent compliance with the therapeutic guidelines for choice of antibiotic, dose, timing and duration within six months.
Using a continual audit and feedback, clinicians introduced flowcharts and restrictions protocols across clinical disciplines to improve outcomes.
The results saw compliance for removal of catheters within 24 hours increase to 96 per cent, and antimicrobial compliance increased from ten to 86 per cent. The outcomes of these achievements resulted in halving the costs of antibiotics, a decrease in catheter associated UTIs, a 15 per cent decrease in hospital stay and a 25 per cent decrease in hospitalacquired infections.
