The 2009 Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) updates and expands the 1981 CDC guideline. It addresses new research, technological advancements, and the increasing need to manage CAUTI in nonacute care settings and long-term catheterization. The guideline includes specific recommendations for implementation, performance measurement, and surveillance. It emphasizes prevention strategies, clarifies evidence-based practices, and outlines high-priority recommendations for CAUTI prevention. The guideline is intended for use by infection prevention staff, healthcare epidemiologists, administrators, nurses, and others involved in infection control. It provides a systematic review of evidence, using a modified GRADE system to evaluate the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. The guideline addresses three key questions: who should receive urinary catheters, what are the best practices for catheter use, and how to prevent CAUTI associated with obstructed catheters. It includes recommendations for catheter insertion, maintenance, and management of obstruction. The guideline also outlines quality improvement programs, administrative infrastructure, and surveillance strategies. It emphasizes the importance of proper catheter use, aseptic techniques, and minimizing catheter duration. The guideline also discusses the use of antimicrobial catheters, hydrophilic catheters, and silicone materials. It provides performance measures for internal and external reporting, and outlines the need for further research in certain areas. The guideline is supported by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and is available in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.The 2009 Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) updates and expands the 1981 CDC guideline. It addresses new research, technological advancements, and the increasing need to manage CAUTI in nonacute care settings and long-term catheterization. The guideline includes specific recommendations for implementation, performance measurement, and surveillance. It emphasizes prevention strategies, clarifies evidence-based practices, and outlines high-priority recommendations for CAUTI prevention. The guideline is intended for use by infection prevention staff, healthcare epidemiologists, administrators, nurses, and others involved in infection control. It provides a systematic review of evidence, using a modified GRADE system to evaluate the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. The guideline addresses three key questions: who should receive urinary catheters, what are the best practices for catheter use, and how to prevent CAUTI associated with obstructed catheters. It includes recommendations for catheter insertion, maintenance, and management of obstruction. The guideline also outlines quality improvement programs, administrative infrastructure, and surveillance strategies. It emphasizes the importance of proper catheter use, aseptic techniques, and minimizing catheter duration. The guideline also discusses the use of antimicrobial catheters, hydrophilic catheters, and silicone materials. It provides performance measures for internal and external reporting, and outlines the need for further research in certain areas. The guideline is supported by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and is available in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.