Answer

Hospital Acquired Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

The Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most prevalent hospital-acquired infection, which accounts for over 40% of all hospital-acquired infections. The resultant mortality and morbidity are a major drain to the medical department and hospital resources at large. Patients undergoing indwelling urinary catheters, patients with debilitating diseases, long-stay elderly male patients and patients undergoing urological manipulations are at a greater risk of developing hospital acquired UTIs. The urinary infections have received suggestively not as much of attention as other hospital acquired infections like bacteremia, surgical site infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. The neglect is related to the lower mortality and morbidity as observed with urinary infections compared with other infections. However, since the incidences are quite often, the cumulative effect is quite large. Additionally, the safety issue is broadly attributable to an invasive care intervention, which renders the prevention case more compelling.

Research Questions

• What is the occurrence rate of hospital acquired UTIs?
• What are the main risk factors associated with the health menace?
• Are the current hospital practices adequate to control UTIs?
• What policies can be implemented to reduce incidences of hospital-acquired UTIs?
• What are the major limitations to the implementation of care interventions in hospitals?
• What are the main strategies to minimize hospital-acquired UTIs?

The research topic is of great significance to nursing because it brings to light the relevance of infection control policies in reducing the number of hospital acquired UTIs. Nurse practitioners will be in a better position to understand the importance of hospital hygiene in reducing cases of urinary tract infections, as well as other control strategies that can be incorporated. The institutions will appreciate the importance of catheterizing using a sterile equipment or an aseptic technique, and ensuring that all drainage systems are closed for hygiene purposes. Basically, it informs practice on the way forward and what can be best done to reduce the incidences of hospital acquired infections at large.