Background: Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is one of the commonest healthcare–associated infection (HAI) in acute health care setting responsible for morbidity. The aim of this study was to characterize the organisms responsible for CAUTI and compare their antibiotic sensitivity profile with urinary isolates from OPD patients with urinary tract infection (UTI).

Material and Methods: In this study prospective surveillance of CAUTI was performed over a period of 08 months. Urinary samples were processed according to standard procedures.

Results: CAUTI rate per 1000 urinary catheter days decreased from its peak of 12.75 to 2.98 during study period.  Escherichia coli was the commonest isolate. Approximately 70% of the CAUTI isolates were resistant to carbapenems as compared to 30% out–patient isolates of UTI.

Discussion and Conclusion: Robust hospital specific infection control program and surveillance is necessary to prevent CAUTI in health care settings.