Urine cultures in a long-term care facility (LTCF): time for improvement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most prevalent infections in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Numerous studies have described the problem of inadequate UTI diagnosis and treatment. We assessed the role of urine cultures in the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs in a LTCF.

Methods

In a 370-bed non-academic LTCF a retrospective assessment of antibiotic (AB) prescriptions for UTIs and urine cultures was performed from July 2014 to January 2016. The reasons why physicians, including 11 nursing home physicians and 2 junior doctors, ordered urine cultures were recorded using questionnaires.

Results

During the study period, 378 residents were prescribed 1672 AB courses; 803 were for UTIs. One hundred and fifty-five urine cultures were obtained from 135 resi

SUBMITTER: Haaijman J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6149184 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature