Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2013;31(8):523–525 www.elsevier.es/eimc Brief report Inappropriate use of urinary catheters in patients admitted to medical wards in a university hospital Mario Fernández-Ruiz ∗ , Beatriz Calvo, Rebeca Vara, Rocío N. Villar, José María Aguado Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 17 December 2012 Accepted 27 February 2013 Available online 17 April 2013 Keywords: Inappropriate use Inpatients Medical wards Physicians’ knowledge Survey Urinary catheterization a b s t r a c t Introduction: The prevalence and predisposing factors were determined for inappropriate urinary catheterization (UC) among inpatients in medical wards. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to med- ical wards in a 1300-bed tertiary-care centre, and who had a urinary catheter in place on the day of the survey. Results: Of 380 patients observed, 46 (12.1%) had a urinary catheter in place. Twelve of them (26.1%) were inappropriately catheterized. The most common indication for inappropriate UC was urine output monitoring in a cooperative, non-critically ill patient. Inappropriateness was associated with increased age, poor functional status, urinary incontinence, dementia, and admission from a long-term care facility. Conclusions: Further educational efforts should be focused on improving catheterization prescribing practices by physicians. © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved. Empleo inapropiado de catéteres urinarios en pacientes ingresados en servicios médicos en un hospital universitario Palabras clave: Uso inapropiado Pacientes ingresados Servicios médico Conocimiento Vigilancia Catéter urinario r e s u m e n Introducción: Pretendemos analizar la prevalencia y los factores asociados al empleo inapropiado de catéteres urinarios (CU) en los servicios médicos. Métodos: Realizamos un estudio de corte transversal que incluyó a todos los pacientes (≥18 a˜ nos) ingre- sados en servicios médicos de un centro de tercer nivel de 1.300 camas y que eran portadores de CU el día de la observación. Resultados: De los 380 pacientes observados, 46 (12,1%) eran portadores de un CU. La cateterización fue juzgada inapropiada en 12 de ellos (26,1%). El motivo más habitual para el uso inapropiado de CU fue la monitorización de la diuresis en un paciente colaborador y no crítico. El uso inapropiado de CU se asoció con la edad, la situación funcional, la presencia de incontinencia urinaria, el diagnóstico de demencia y la institucionalización previa. Conclusiones: Es preciso mejorar los hábitos de prescripción de CU mediante esfuerzos educativos especí- ficos. © 2012 Elsevier Espa ˜ na, S.L. Todos los derechos reservados. Introduction Urinary catheterization (UC) constitutes a well-documented risk factor for the development of nosocomial urinary tract ∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: mario fdezruiz@yahoo.es (M. Fernández-Ruiz). infections (NUTI). 1 Therefore, notable efforts have been devoted to reduce the use of urinary catheters both in number and dura- tion, most of them focused on the implementation and diffusion of institutional guidelines. 2,3 Despite such interventions, the rate of inappropriate UC among inpatients continues to be unacceptably high, even in tertiary-care centres. 4–8 These somewhat disappoint- ing results might be partially explained by the lack of awareness among attending physicians on the potential risks associated with 0213-005X/$ – see front matter © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eimc.2013.02.013