Infectious disease specialist Mohamad Fakih, MD, Medical Director, Infection Control, St. John Hospital and Medical Center (SJH&MC), has a passion for reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections. And it was that passion that led to the focus of his most recent work – ensuring the appropriate use of Foley catheters.

Concerned about the inappropriate utilization of Foley catheters and their risk, Dr. Fakih conducted a pilot study at SJH&MC in 2005 that reinforced the critical role of nurses and physicians working together to identify and address unnecessary Foley catheter usage. His early work resulted in more than half of the unnecessary catheters being discontinued.

Having learned of this effort, Ascension Health awarded a grant to Dr. Fakih to replicate his work for the benefit of all Ascension Health hospitals.

Over the course of one year, a multi-disciplinary team from SJH&MC (which included nursing, infection control, case management and quality) followed up the pilot with a comprehensive education effort led by nurses Cathleen Dueweke and Sue Meisner that reinforced the proper use of Foley catheters.

At the end of the grant period, Dr. Fakih and the team had completed a comprehensive toolkit that includes everything from nursing education modules and tests, to posters, fact sheets, pocket cards and brochures, as well as sample policies for the use of Foley catheters.

Good news travels fast

Today, you can find Dr. Fakih’s name and his team’s work popping up across Michigan and the country. Here in Michigan, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) has built upon Dr. Fakih’s initiative to create a statewide collaborative for urinary tract infection
prevention. MHA’s 108 member hospitals began to implement the plan in the summer of 2007. In addition, Ascension Health sister hospital – St. Vincent in Indianapolis – has already begun implementation of Dr. Fakih’s project, with others sure to follow.

Health care insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan also is taking an interest. They recently awarded Dr. Fakih a grant for more than $100,000, to further his study into Foley catheter use in the Emergency Center and ICUs.

“We are fortunate to have such talented clinicians like Dr. Fakih and the members of the< St. John Hospital Foley Catheter Team,” says Michael C. Wiemann, MD, Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs/Chief Medical Of f icer, St. John Health (SJH) . “Their commitment to clinical excellence will ultimately extend far beyond the hospitals of St. John Health and into community and teaching hospitals across the country. This is knowledge and best practice sharing at its best, and we are very proud of their work.”