The CAUTI-On Alliance Calls Upon Policymakers to Make UTI Prevention a European Health Priority in Newly Launch Call to Action

The CAUTI-On Alliance calls upon European and national policymakers to take urgent action to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), in particular catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IADs), in its newly launched Call to Action.

UTIs are among the most common healthcare-associated infections in Europe and remain a significant yet under-recognised burden on patients, healthcare professionals, and health systems. They contribute to antimicrobial resistance, prolonged hospital stays, avoidable complications, increased healthcare costs, and pressure on an already overstretched healthcare workforce. Many of these infections are preventable, yet prevention efforts remain fragmented across Europe.

In our Call to Action, we urge policymakers to act on five key priorities:

1. Prioritise UTIs in EU health and antimicrobial resistance policies

We call for UTIs to be explicitly recognised within European infection prevention and control (IPC) frameworks and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies. UTIs are a major driver of antimicrobial use and should be integrated into national and European health priorities.

2. Embed patient-centred, dignity-driven care in UTI prevention and management

Preventing UTIs is not only a clinical issue but also a matter of patient safety, dignity, and quality of life. We call for patient-centred care models that actively involve patients and caregivers in prevention, management, and policy development.

3. Establish EU-wide surveillance and reduction targets for UTIs

Europe needs a coordinated approach to monitoring and reducing the burden of UTIs. We advocate for harmonised surveillance systems, common reporting standards, measurable reduction targets, and regular monitoring of progress across Member States.

4. Scale up evidence-based UTI prevention practices

Effective prevention measures already exist. We call for stronger implementation of standardised clinical protocols, improved training for healthcare professionals, and greater uptake of innovative tools and technologies that support prevention and early detection.

5. Support healthcare workforce resilience through innovation in urinary care

Healthcare systems across Europe are under pressure from workforce shortages and increasing demands. Investing in innovative urinary care solutions that can reduce the physical burden on healthcare professionals while improving patient outcomes, efficiency, and quality of care.

Preventing UTIs represents a clear opportunity to improve patient outcomes, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and strengthen healthcare systems across Europe. Through this Call to Action, we invite policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient organisations, and other stakeholders to join us in making UTI prevention a European health priority.

The time to act is now.

You can find more information by opening this document. 

The CAUTI-On Alliance calls upon European and national policymakers to take urgent action to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), in particular catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IADs), in its newly launched Call to Action.

UTIs are among the most common healthcare-associated infections in Europe and remain a significant yet under-recognised burden on patients, healthcare professionals, and health systems. They contribute to antimicrobial resistance, prolonged hospital stays, avoidable complications, increased healthcare costs, and pressure on an already overstretched healthcare workforce. Many of these infections are preventable, yet prevention efforts remain fragmented across Europe.

In our Call to Action, we urge policymakers to act on five key priorities:

1. Prioritise UTIs in EU health and antimicrobial resistance policies

We call for UTIs to be explicitly recognised within European infection prevention and control (IPC) frameworks and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies. UTIs are a major driver of antimicrobial use and should be integrated into national and European health priorities.

2. Embed patient-centred, dignity-driven care in UTI prevention and management

Preventing UTIs is not only a clinical issue but also a matter of patient safety, dignity, and quality of life. We call for patient-centred care models that actively involve patients and caregivers in prevention, management, and policy development.

3. Establish EU-wide surveillance and reduction targets for UTIs

Europe needs a coordinated approach to monitoring and reducing the burden of UTIs. We advocate for harmonised surveillance systems, common reporting standards, measurable reduction targets, and regular monitoring of progress across Member States.

4. Scale up evidence-based UTI prevention practices

Effective prevention measures already exist. We call for stronger implementation of standardised clinical protocols, improved training for healthcare professionals, and greater uptake of innovative tools and technologies that support prevention and early detection.

5. Support healthcare workforce resilience through innovation in urinary care

Healthcare systems across Europe are under pressure from workforce shortages and increasing demands. Investing in innovative urinary care solutions that can reduce the physical burden on healthcare professionals while improving patient outcomes, efficiency, and quality of care.

Preventing UTIs represents a clear opportunity to improve patient outcomes, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and strengthen healthcare systems across Europe. Through this Call to Action, we invite policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient organisations, and other stakeholders to join us in making UTI prevention a European health priority.

The time to act is now.

You can find more information by opening this document.