A Nurse-Led Algorithm for Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infection in Homebound Older Adults.
Res Gerontol Nurs
; 17(2): 92-97, 2024.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38351581
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. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(2), 92-97.].
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Urinary Tract Infections
/
Nurse's Role
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Res Gerontol Nurs
Journal subject:
ENFERMAGEM
/
GERIATRIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
United States