Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections reported to NHSN.

In Tennessee, CAUTIs will be reportable beginning January 1, 2012. At that time, all hospitals (excluding critical access facilities) must report CAUTIs in adult and pediatric intensive care units (ICUs). As of October 1, 2012 all inpatient rehabilitation facilities and long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) will be required to report CAUTIs from inpatient locations. Monthly reporting of numerator and denominator data is ongoing in each location unless otherwise specified.

For details on reporting requirements, please see the information provided below.

For a 1-page quick reference sheet for CAUTI reporting, click here.

Beginning January 1, 2012, all hospitals (excluding critical access hospitals) are required to report, regardless of average daily census. In addition, beginning October 1, 2012, all inpatient rehabilitation facilities and LTACs will be required to report.

The following units are to provide the necessary information:

• All adult and pediatric ICUs (including burn and trauma) in acute care hospitals
• Facility-wide for inpatient rehabilitation facilities and LTACs

Numerator data for catheter-associated urinary tract infection must meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) case definition.

Regarding denominator data, the following should be reported:

• Patient days, urinary catheter (UC) days

Those who report must use the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) software application.

For more information see the following links.

• NHSN Device Associated Module
• CAUTI Event NHSN Protocol
• CAUTI Event NHSN Protocol Training

• Form
• Form Instructions

• Form
• Form Instructions

Location Descriptions