AI Article Synopsis
- A nurse-led algorithm was created to standardize diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) for older adults receiving home care, aiming to improve diagnostic procedures and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
- The pilot study found that while the algorithm increased the frequency of urinalysis and urine culture tests before starting antibiotic treatment, it did not lead to a reduction in overall antibiotic prescriptions.
- Additionally, there was no increase in emergency department visits or hospital admissions, suggesting the algorithm's implementation did not negatively impact patient outcomes.
Article Abstract
Purpose: We designed a nurse-led algorithm to standardize urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis for older adults receiving home-based medical care. Aims of this pilot quality improvement study were to reduce the frequency of empiric antibiotic therapy initiated without a urinalysis and urine culture (UA/UC) first being obtained, reduce antibiotic use without a concomitant increase in emergency department (ED) visits or hospital admissions, and ensure stakeholders' satisfaction with algorithm use.
Method: A nurse-led diagnostic algorithm was designed and pilot-tested to address challenges and standardize diagnosis of UTI in a population of homebound older adults.
Results: In pre/post data analysis, algorithm implementation was associated with improved frequency of obtaining UA/UC before empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated, but the overall rate of antibiotic use for UTI did not decrease. No increase in ED or hospital admissions was identified.
Conclusion: Use of a diagnostic algorithm for UTI among homebound older adults was associated with reduced frequency of empiric antibiotic initiation for suspected UTI without a UA/UC first being obtained. More rigorous study is needed to confirm and expand on these findings. [(2), 92-97.].
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20240206-02 | DOI Listing |
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