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Methods: CAUTI was defined by National Health and Safety Network criteria. CAUTI rates (CAUTI number/foley days x1000) were prospectively collected from 1/12-12/12 prior to protocol initiation and from 7/13–6/14 after a 6 month education phase. The prevention protocol incorporated the following elements: daily assessment of foley catheter need according to preset criteria, urine cultures sent only if other causes of fever were excluded and only after a urinalysis (sent from a replaced foley) was suggestive of infection, nursing foley maintenance strategies, and compliance audits performed by infection control personnel. CAUTI rates, ICU and hospital LOS, hospital mortality and discharge disposition were compared between groups using Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: 2525 total patients were admitted to the Neuro ICU during the study period and analyzed (1279 pre and 1246 post-protocol). 37 …