Non-randomized Clinical Trial of In-house Silver-Coated Foley’s Catheter Reduces Urinary Tract Infections—a Low-Cost Innovation

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections account for 80% of hospital-related urinary tract infections. Attempts are being made to improvise catheters to reduce the infective burden. A non-randomized clinical trial was conducted on two hundred and forty patients who required catheterization. The aim was to assess the efficacy of silver ion–impregnated Foley catheters in reducing urinary tract infections. They were divided equally with 120 patients in each group. The control group received standard Foley catheter insertion and patients in the study group received in-house-prepared silver ion–impregnated catheters. Urine was examined for the presence of pus cells on days 1, 3, and 7. Culture and sensitivity were carried out on days 1, 3, and 7. Though the initial results were similar in both groups, there was a significant reduction in the number of pus cells in urine and a decrease in positive cultures on day 7 (P\u2009=\u20090.0277 and P\u2009=\u20090.0497), respectively suggesting the efficacy of silver ion impregnation. This is a simple and easy-to-perform technique with potential for routine use in the future with adequate validation. Routine use minimizes antibiotic usage due to reduced incidence of urinary tract infections and hospital expenses.