Many Hospitals Skip Easy Steps to Prevent Catheter Infections, Study Says

Many hospitals in the United States are not taking easy steps to protect patients from a type of infection caused by a medical tube called a catheter, according to a new study published on October 6, 2026. The study looked at data from more than 1,400 hospitals across the country. Researchers found that simple, low-cost practices that could prevent these infections are not being widely used. The findings were published in a medical journal called JAMA Network Open.

A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that doctors insert into the body to help drain urine from the bladder. Catheters are often necessary for patients who cannot use the bathroom on their own. However, they can also introduce harmful bacteria into the body if they are left in too long or not managed carefully. This can lead to urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs.

UTIs are not just uncomfortable — they can become very serious. If a UTI spreads through the bloodstream, it can cause a life-threatening condition called sepsis. That is why researchers say it is so important for hospitals to do everything they can to prevent these infections from happening in the first place. The good news is that there are proven ways to lower the risk.

Researchers identified three key practices that can greatly reduce catheter-related UTIs. The first is sending doctors reminders that a patient still has a catheter in place. The second is requiring doctors to regularly check whether the catheter still needs to be there. The third is allowing nurses to remove a catheter without waiting for a doctor's order, if they believe the patient is ready. These steps are simple and do not cost much money, yet many hospitals are still not doing them.

The numbers from the study show how big the gap is. Only 49 percent of general hospitals have a system to remind doctors about catheters or require them to renew catheter orders. Even fewer VA hospitals — those that care for military veterans — do this, at just 32 percent. When it comes to letting nurses remove catheters on their own judgment, only 58 percent of general hospitals and 38 percent of VA hospitals allow it. Researchers said these low numbers are surprising given how effective and affordable the practices are.

There has been some progress over the years, though. Back in 2005, only 9 percent of hospitals used reminder or renewal systems for catheters. By 2025, that number had grown to 49 percent. Lead researcher Dr. Sanjay Saint, a professor at the University of Michigan, said it is encouraging to see hospitals improving. However, he warned that gains don't happen on their own and that hospitals must keep working to get better.

Hospitals can use their computer systems to help doctors and nurses follow these best practices. For example, when a doctor places an order for a catheter, the computer system can show a reminder about when and why catheters should be used. It can also suggest other options that might be safer for the patient. Senior researcher Dr. Jennifer Meddings said these computer reminders are especially helpful for doctors who are still in training, since they place many of the catheter orders in hospitals.

Another useful tool is a portable ultrasound device that can scan a patient's bladder. Doctors can use it to decide whether a catheter is truly needed or if it can be safely removed. More than 70 percent of hospitals already use these scanners, which is one area where hospitals are doing well. Researchers hope that hospitals will continue building on this progress and close the gaps in other areas too.