Medline has added several improvements to its Foley catheter management system, as part of its Erase Cauti program, created to help clinicians reduce the risk of urinary catheter-associated infections. Medline claimed that the catheterization kit revolutionized the design of an old product, the urinary catheter tray, to help the health care worker meet new demands by reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
The new features of the Erase Cauti system include: Clear Photography of Tray Contents. In Medline’s new Foley catheter tray, the product instructions and clear color images are located on the outside to encourage the clinician to review the information before they start.
To help identify the contents of the kit, the label features an actual color photo of the tray components. The photo can also be used to discuss the procedure with the patient. The outer label opens like a book and on the inside is a clear, step-by-step instructional guide to catheter insertion.
The other features include a checklist of clinical indications for catheterization is printed on a peel-off sticker. The reformatted checklist is small, making it easy to fit in the patient chart or medical record. It is also available in an electronic format for electronic documentation.
In an effort to develop a more effective communication tool, Medline created the Patient Care Card that looks and feels like a ‘Get Well’ greeting card with key educational elements scripted for the clinician to review at the bedside with the patient and his or her family.
Medline said that a key component to the effectiveness of the Erase Cauti program is the online competency and measurement tools that assess and sustain staff results.
Medline had introduced the new catheter system tray in August 2009 and it is being used in hospitals across the country. The tray’s one-layer design supports and encourages a specific sequence of events during catheterization that helps the provider adhere to current recommended healthcare practices. The new tray design is intuitive, reduces variance in care process and promotes efficiency.
Lorri Downs, vice president of Infection Prevention for Medline, said: “Infections can happen due to poor technique or because the catheter is left in too long and the goal of the tray re-design is to help reduce variance in the procedure. By combining evidence-based technique and training with a revolutionary-designed tray, we are assisting the clinician in using a proven and safe method for catheter insertion and maintenance.”