Nosocomial Infection Risk Driving Catheter Sales

The development of drug-coated catheters and the reduction of catheter reuse in the battle against hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are leading to growth of the catheter market. These are the latest findings of Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA), an independent medical market research firm.

Catheter-related infection is at least theoretically preventable, provided strict adherence to infection control measures is observed, especially reducing the reuse rates of catheters. Using catheters impregnated or coated with antimicrobial agents has also emerged as a potentially valuable adjunct to prevention by other infection control measures, especially for urology patients. An estimated four million patients per year in the United States alone have urinary catheters in acute, home, and long-term care sites. Healthcare reform in the United States has highlighted attention on HAIs and their cost to the system, and is therefore driving sales of improved drug-coated catheters, a trend that is predicted to continue boosting the market.

Catheter-associated bacteremia, the most serious consequence of catheter-related infections, is by far the leading cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection in intensive care units (ICUs), with about 80,000 such infections occurring annually in ICUs, and 200,000 cases occurring throughout hospitals in the US alone. Although the consequences of these infections in terms of mortality remain debated, it is clear that they increase the duration of ICU stay and add a substantial burden to the cost of intensive care, since they involve a large number of hospitalized patients resulting from increased use of intravascular devices.

“The most important risk factor for developing a catheter associated urinary tract infection is prolonged use of the urinary catheter; therefore, catheters should only be used for appropriate indications and should be removed as soon as they are no longer needed,” said report author Jon Evans, an analyst for Kalorama. “Concerns of reimbursement in the hospital segment have led to a reduction in the reuse of catheters and the use of improved models, a positive sign for the market.”

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common type of healthcare-associated infection reported to the US National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN; Atlanta, GA, USA), involving any part of the urinary system, including urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidney. Bacterial colonization of the bladder can occur within two to four weeks after a catheter is inserted, and this may lead to urosepsis and ultimately septicemia.

Related Links:
Kalorama Information
US National Healthcare Safety Network