Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) can be fatal, and are a source of avoidable expense for patients and hospitals. Prolonged catheterization increases infection risk, and avoiding catheters is crucial for infection prevention. Male external urinary catheters are recommended as a tool to prevent the need for indwelling catheterization. Female external urinary catheters (FEUCs) have intermittently been marketed without wide adoption; one has recently become available but published data is limited. Objective This retrospective observational study was conducted to investigate the effect of FEUCs on indwelling catheter use and female CAUTIs. Methods FEUCs were introduced to intensive care units. CAUTI rates and indwelling catheter days were obtained before and after the introduction of the devices. Results CAUTI rates decreased from 3.14 per 1000 catheter days to 1.42 per 1000 catheter days (p=0.013). Female indwelling catheter days decreased, while overall intensive care patient days increased. Conclusions Introduction of a FEUC was associated with a statistically significant decrease in CAUTI rate among female intensive care patients. The FEUC may prevent the need for indwelling catheters in some situations.

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BackgroundOutpatient care is provided in hospital-based (HB) outpatient clinics, non-HB clinics and physician offices, ambulatory surgical centers, and other settings. Some settings may have minimal infection control (IC) oversight based on hospital-affiliated status. Whatever the designation, it is essential that care is provided under conditions that minimize or eliminate risks of healthcareassociated infections. MethodsIn 2016 at an urban academic medical center, a number of operational PBPs began converting to HB status. They included a wide range of clinical specialties that provided a multitude of services (including urology, otolaryngology and dermatology), many of which were at high risk for transmitting infection from person to person if IC breaches occurred. During this time:• IC hired a full time practitioner dedicated to PBP/ outpatient areas and was fully integrated into the practices• Initial assessments of each practice was done, including a full review of infection control processes (Figure 1) • Identified needs and risks were addressed• IC presence was established through regular and continuous education, rounding, and auditing• Existing hospital policies and procedures were adjusted and adopted by the practices Results ConclusionsThe IC journey to HB conversion was successful. A collaborative approach including all levels of personnel was vital in this change. Also, leadership and staff buy-in was critical in moving forward with making and sustaining IC improvements in practice and to maintain survey readiness. Objective• Effectively bring physician based practices (PBPs) under hospital licensure • Ensure safe delivery of care • Produce successful regulatory surveys DisclosuresNothing to disclose