Arch Intern Med
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A randomized crossover study of silver-coated urinary catheters in hospitalized patients.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for 30% to 40% of nosocomial infections resulting in morbidity, mortality, and increased length of hospital stay. ⋯ The risk of infection declined by 21% among study wards randomized to silver-coated catheters and by 32% among patients in whom silver-coated catheters were used on the wards. Use of the more expensive silver-coated catheter appeared to offer cost savings by preventing excess hospital costs from nosocomial UTI associated with catheter use. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:3294-3298.