Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections in Long-Term Care: A Replication Study.

BACKGROUND

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.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this project was to replicate the Cooper Urinary Tract Infection Program in another facility and measure its effectiveness.

METHODS

Using a pre-post design, this project was implemented at a 120-bed, long-term care and rehabilitation facility located in the Midwest United States.

METHODS

This project used the multifaceted Cooper Urinary Tract Infection Program that includes the Cooper tool algorithm, didactic education for providers, and change champions.

RESULTS

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.