Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Identification and Management in Long Term Care Facility

Antibiotic treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria is one of the key contributors to antibiotic overuse in long-term care. The guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) suggest that antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria can only bring harm to the patient. However, inappropriate antibiotic treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria in long-term care remains common. A retrospective chart review on a 40-bed unit in a city-based long-term care facility found that 55% of the patients with no definitive diagnosis of urinary tract infection were placed on antibiotics without documented reason.
Source: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Quality Improvement Source Type: research