Urine catheterization of elderly hospitalized patients unable to provide a urine sample for culture

Recently reported in this journal was that certain accepted signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) have limited value1. This should influence how to define a symptomatic UTI when consensus opinion recommends a urinary catheterization procedure in elderly febrile patients if they cannot provide a urine specimen2, 3. However, although there can be clinical utility of urine cultures to direct appropriate antibiotic therapy, the decision to catheterize should consider the risk of an indwelling urine catheter during hospitalization and at discharge4, 5.
Source: Journal of Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research