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Background: The aim of this research was to determine if nursing home residents are receiving appropriate treatment for urinary tract infections. The aim of this study is to encourage providers to change their prescribing habits for asymptomatic bacteriuria in geriatric patients.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in two nursing homes in central California during a 9-month period. If the antibiotic was ordered for presumed UTI, that patient became part of the study to investigate further the appropriateness of antibiotic use based on the McGeer criteria.
Results: 105 residents were treated for UTIs over nine months in both nursing homes. Only 31 (29.6%) received appropriate treatment based on the McGeer criteria. Furthermore, 48 (45.7%) residents did not show symptoms and 46 (43.8%) residents had lack of microbiologic evidence in the urine report.
Conclusion: Despite the introduction of antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes, providers are treating asymptomatic UTIs with antibiotics. This study found a substantial disparity between the antibiotic stewardship program and providers’ diagnosis of UTI.
Learning Objective:
After completing this learning activity, the participant will be able to assess innovations being used by other professionals in the specialty and evaluate the potential of implementing the improvements into practice.