Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections in Long-Term Care
Martina
Administrator admin
Nursing home providers face challenges in urinary tract infection assessment and treatment, often prescribing unnecessary antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria, a practice that can result in adverse drug reactions, drug resistance, and an increase in antibiotic-associated diarrhea.. A study published in The Journal of Nursing Care Quality sought to replicate the Cooper Urinary Tract Infection Program in another facility and measure its effectiveness. The study used the multifaceted Cooper Urinary Tract Infection Program that includes the Cooper tool algorithm, didactic education for providers, and change champions. The results were significant improvements in nurse knowledge and reduced rates of urinary tract infections, inappropriate antibiotic treatments, and urinalyses.
Conclusions: These results add to the evidence for implementing the Cooper Urinary Tract Infection Program in long-term care facilities for effective reduction of inappropriate antibiotic usage for urinary tract infection.