Exploring the treatment of noncatheterized urinary tract infections in nursing home patients

Exploring the treatment of noncatheterized urinary tract infections in nursing home patients

Antibiotic overuse is an ongoing problem, causing widespread antibiotic resistance. This research conducted a retrospective chart review in two nursing homes during a 9-month period to determine appropriate antibiotic use with 105 residents treated for UTIs. 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%) lacked microbiologic evidence in their urine reports. Despite the introduction of antibiotic stewardship in the nursing homes, providers were treating presumed UTIs with antibiotics. This study found a substantial disparity between the antibiotic stewardship program and providers’ diagnoses of UTI.

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