Overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria: identifying targets for improvement

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015 Apr;36(4):470-3. doi: 10.1017/ice.2014.73.

Abstract

Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria contributes to antimicrobial overuse in hospitalized patients. Indications for urine culture, treatment, and targets for improvement were evaluated in 153 patients. Drivers of antimicrobial overuse included fever with an alternative source, altered mental status, and leukocytosis, which led 435 excess days of antimicrobial therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asymptomatic Infections / therapy*
  • Bacteriuria / drug therapy*
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / prevention & control
  • Inappropriate Prescribing / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Medical Overuse / prevention & control
  • Medical Overuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality Improvement
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents