Hydrogel/silver ion-coated urinary catheter reduces nosocomial urinary tract infection rates in intensive care unit patients: A multicenter study

Objectives. Indwelling urinary catheters are the leading source of nosocomial urinary tract infections (NUTIs). The Bardex I.C. catheter is a hydrogel latex Foley catheter with a monolayer of silver metal applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the catheter. We investigated the Bardex I.C. catheter for its ability to decrease the NUTI rate in critical care units. Methods. Five hospitals participated in a blind prospective study, exchanging the standard latex Foley catheter for the Bardex I.C. Foley catheter. The device use rate and NUTI rate were monitored. Data were collected and analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum test and four-way analysis of variance. A cost analysis was also performed. Results. The baseline period, intervention period, and number of device days was similar for both periods. The unadjusted catheter-associated infection rate during the baseline and intervention periods was 7.1 and 4.5 infections per 1000 catheter days, respectively (P < 0.01). The adjusted catheter-associated infection rate during the baseline and intervention periods was 8.1 and 4.9 infections per 1000 catheter days, respectively. This was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). Conclusions. A trend toward a reduction in NUTIs with the use of the hydrogel/silver-coated catheter was noted in all intensive care units at each institution as shown by the unadjusted and adjusted catheter-associated infection rates. One hospital demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in NUTIs. However, statistical significance was not met when the results were adjusted. The cost analysis at one institution demonstrated cost savings with the use of the silver-coated catheter. Future analysis may require a double-blind, prospective-controlled study of longer duration to reach statistical significance. (C) 1999, Elsevier Science Inc.