Urine cultures among hospitalized veterans: casting too broad a net?

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 May;35(5):574-6. doi: 10.1086/675829. Epub 2014 Mar 14.

Abstract

Since detection of asymptomatic bacteriuria among inpatients often leads to inappropriate antimicrobial treatment, we studied why urine cultures were ordered and correlates of treatment. Most cultures were obtained from patients without urinary complaints and a minority from asymptomatic patients. High-count bacteriuria, not clinical manifestations, appeared to trigger most antimicrobial use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Bacterial Load
  • Bacteriological Techniques
  • Bacteriuria / diagnosis
  • Bacteriuria / drug therapy
  • Bacteriuria / microbiology
  • Bacteriuria / urine
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Veterans / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Unnecessary Procedures / statistics & numerical data
  • Urinalysis / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urine / microbiology
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents