Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

Identifying Attributes

Care Settings
Hospital Care
Country
United States of America
Publishing Organisation
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, The Leapfrog Group, Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Type of Quality Indicator
Outcome
IOM Quality Dimension
Safety
Domain
Infection and Sepsis

Defining Attributes

Definition

Standardised Infection Ratio (SIR) of healthcare-associated, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTI) will be calculated among patients in bedded inpatient care locations.

Numerator

Total number of observed healthcare-associated CAUTI among patients in bedded inpatient care locations.

Denominator

Total number of predicted healthcare-associated CAUTI among inpatient care locations under surveillance for CAUTI during the data period, based on the national CAUTI baseline Data is calculated using the facility's number of catheter days and significant risk factors (see technical specifications).

Exclusions

Excluding patients in Level II or III neonatal ICUs. The following are not considered indwelling catheters by NHSN definitions: suprapubic catheters, condom catheters, "in and out" catheterizations, nephrostomy tubes.

Use of Risk Adjustment
Yes
Risk Adjustments

Adjusted for hospital characteristics detailed in denominator.

Stratifications

By hospital and state.

Collection and Reporting Attributes

Type of Data Collection
Electronic/paper chart records
Data Collection Methods

Hospital information submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

Frequency of Data Collection
Quarterly
Frequency of Data Collection in Days
91
Reporting Methods

HAC Reduction Program data is displayed at data.cms.gov

Reporting Frequency
Annually
Reporting Frequency in Days
365
Indicator Has Recommended Targets
No

Source and Reference Attributes

Technical Specifications
Link to Measurement Tools
Quality Indicator Confirmed to be Part of a Program Used to Monitor Quality and Safety of Care Among Older People at a Population-Level between 2012-2022
Yes
Assessed by the Australian Consortium for Aged Care Collaborators as Generally Containing Good Properties (Importance and Scientific Acceptability)
Yes
Australian Consortium for Aged Care Endorsed
Yes
Identified by PHARMA-Care Project
No
Upload Date
02 December 2025