CAUTI Prevention

Riverside LTAC: From 3.8 to 0.6 CAUTI Rate with In-Bed Showering

Long-Term Acute Care HospitalChicago, IL90 bedsResults over 12 months

Riverside LTAC Hospital had a CAUTI rate of 3.8 per 1,000 catheter-days — nearly double the national LTAC benchmark. Perineal hygiene was identified as a primary contributing factor, as traditional sponge baths were inconsistent and inadequate for catheterized patients. The facility was subject to CMS value-based purchasing penalties.

Results at a Glance

CAUTI Rate (per 1,000 cath-days)
3.80.6
84% down
CMS VBP Penalty
$210K/yr$0
Eliminated
Antibiotic Usage (DDD)
420/month180/month
57% down
Average Length of Stay
28 days23 days
5 days shorter

The Challenge

Riverside LTAC Hospital had a CAUTI rate of 3.8 per 1,000 catheter-days — nearly double the national LTAC benchmark. Perineal hygiene was identified as a primary contributing factor, as traditional sponge baths were inconsistent and inadequate for catheterized patients. The facility was subject to CMS value-based purchasing penalties.

The Solution

Riverside implemented Bed Shower Wib as the standard bathing method for all catheterized patients, with a specific focus on thorough perineal hygiene using CHG solution. The Wib's directional water flow and complete body coverage ensured consistent perineal cleansing that sponge baths could not reliably achieve.

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Implementation Process

1

Conducted a root cause analysis identifying perineal hygiene as the primary CAUTI driver.

2

Piloted Wib bathing for all catheterized patients in a 20-bed unit for 90 days.

3

Developed a standardized perineal care protocol using 4% CHG with the Wib system.

4

Trained all nursing staff and CNAs on catheter care bundle integration with Wib bathing.

5

Expanded to all 90 beds after pilot showed 71% CAUTI reduction at 90 days.

"Perineal hygiene is the cornerstone of CAUTI prevention, and we were failing at it with sponge baths. The Wib gave us a reproducible, thorough protocol. Our CAUTI rate dropped from 3.8 to 0.6 — that is a transformation."
James Whitfield, MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer, Riverside LTAC Hospital

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Key Outcomes

84% reduction in CAUTI rate, from 3.8 to 0.6 per 1,000 catheter-days

Elimination of $210,000 annual CMS Value-Based Purchasing CAUTI penalty

57% reduction in antibiotic usage, reducing C. diff risk and antibiotic resistance pressure

5-day reduction in average length of stay, improving bed throughput and revenue

Zero CAUTI-related sepsis events in the 12 months following full implementation

Protocol shared with state LTAC association as a quality improvement model

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Full Case Study PDF — Riverside LTAC: From 3.8 to 0.6 CAUTI Rate with In-Bed Showering

Formatted for sharing with your infection control committee, CNO, or CFO. Includes all metrics, protocol details, and implementation timeline.

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