The Potential Clinical and Economic Benefits of Silver Alloy Urinary Catheters in Preventing Urinary Tract Infection

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
WORLDWIDE, 96 million indwelling urethral catheters are sold annually; 24 million of these are sold in the United States. Approximately 25% of hospitalized patients have a urinary catheter placed at some time during their stay.1 The incidence of bacteriuria in catheterized patients is approximately 5% per day.1 Symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs in approximately 20% of those with bacteriuria,2,3 with bacteremia complicating bacteriuria in up to 4% of patients.4,5