A Smartphone App for Engaging Patients With Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Protocol for an Interrupted Time-Series Analysis

Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the main cause of health care–associated infections, and they increase disease burden, antibiotic usage, hospital stay. Inappropriate placement unnecessarily prolonged usage a catheter lead to an elevated preventable risk infection. The smartphone app Participatient has been developed involve hospitalized patients in communication decision-making related use control unnecessary (long-term) prevent CAUTIs. Sustained behavioral changes for infection prevention can be promoted by empowering through Participatient. Objective primary aim our multicenter prospective interrupted time-series analysis is reduce inappropriate 15%. We will evaluate efficacy this quality improvement study clinical wards. Our secondary endpoints CAUTIs patient satisfaction, involvement, trust with care services. Methods conduct analysis—a strong design when randomization not feasible—consisting pre- postintervention point-prevalence survey distributed among participating wards investigate reducing catheters. After customizing wards’ requirements, it implemented indication checklist 4 large hospitals Netherlands. collect data every 2 weeks 6 months periods. Simultaneously, we assess impact on satisfaction services providers patients’ perceived involvement questionnaires, barriers facilitators eHealth implementation interviews workers. Results To approximately 40% catheters (currently use) 15%, 9-12 points from 70-100 per date hospital. Thereafter, present difference between unadjusted adjusted rate ratios corresponding 95% CI. Differences considered significant P<.05. Conclusions protocol may help subsequent By sharing reliable information daily checklists via app, provide them tool involved care–related care. Trial Registration Netherlands Register NL7178; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7178 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/28314