Antibiotic-laced urinary catheter helps prevent costly infections.

Abstract

Treating urinary tract infections at the source: Urinary tract infection is a common problem in hospitals, particularly among patients who require long-term management with indwelling urinary catheters. A new Foley catheter, made of silicon imbedded with a broad-spectrum antibiotic, shows a 10-fold reduction in UTI within three days of use. Its maker claims hospitals can save $68,000 to $438,000 per 1,000 catheters.